SITE
The studio at Greville Road dates from the late nineteenth century and was once the work place of the sculptor Willi Soukop. The studio features a striking seven-meter vaulted space, providing an inspiring environment for artistic creation and reflection.
CLIENT
The current owner is the artist Ben Pulsford and he has used the studio for the last twenty years. The requirement of the brief was for the creation of additional work space together with plenty of storage for his canvases and materials.
CONCEPT
The project entailed the insertion of a floating mezzanine into the seven-meter vaulted studio space. The new floor was designed so that it kept free of the perimeter walls and kept clear of the tall studio doors. The new staircase was conceived to be an integral part of the large storage unit and read as one entity. The spacing of the staircase treads established a module which formed the rhythm of the whole storage unit. These developed into a series of vertical fins that could be inhabited in various ways for the storage of paintings and materials. Double depth storage is available under the first flight, slimming to a single depth under the upper flight, all constructed from birch-faced plywood.
CHALLENGE
A key challenge in this project was working within the constraints of a listed building while ensuring the space met the client’s needs. The mezzanine had to be inserted in a way that respected the historical architecture, without disturbing the perimeter walls or tall doors. Light was also a critical factor – care had to be taken not to disrupt the natural light entering the studio or compromise the openness of the vaulted space. To maintain this openness, glass floor panels were incorporated along two sides of the mezzanine. The project received support from the listed building officer from Camden, emphasising the importance of maintaining the space as a living, working artist’s studio capable of adapting to the occupant’s evolving requirements.
Photographer: James Morris
Contractor: Aspect Construction
