Page 107 - AIT0724_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design Mike Tuck Studio, GB-London
„In einem klar abgesteckten Rahmen entsteht
die notwendige Freiheit, passgenaue räumliche
Antworten jenseits des Üblichen zu finden.”
Mike Tuck
Bestandsplan • As-built plan
Grundriss • Floor plan
Bauherr • Client Benji and Nina Davies, GB-London
Standort • Location GB-London
Nutzfläche • Floor space 180 m 2
Fotos • Photos Luca Piffaretti
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 126
HILLSIDE HOUSE
IN LONDON
Housing is in short supply, especially in London. It is
impossible to solve the “housing issue” through new
construction alone; the existing buildings need to be
activated and adapted to the housing needs or, rather,
housing dreams. Mike Tuck Studio transformed the
semi-detached house with a rigid floor plan for a family
into a large, flexible and open “stage” for young and old.
M ike Tuck’s studio sees architecture as a process, not a finished
product. The answer to the spatial question lies not only in
today, but also in yesterday and tomorrow. This working philosophy is
equally reflected in the way they deal with their clients, developing and
weighing up ideas together in a cooperative dialogue and continuing
to build in the best sense of the word. The studio attaches great impor-
tance to and spends a lot of time on the initial discussions, on the first
fundamental considerations – the aim is to find a secure, harmonized
agreement on common goals. Such a clearly defined framework then
provides the necessary freedom that the architects and designers use to
find a customized spatial response that goes beyond the “usual”. It is
precisely this freedom of processual development that can be directly
felt in Hillside House. The clients were on the verge of selling the house,
even though planning permission had already been granted in 2019. At
the very last moment, they decided against it and fortunately did not
sell it but decided to improve their home which had great potential but
was not conducive to family life. What the house clearly lacked was an
open-plan living space for the family to cook, eat and be together. The
extension and opening on the ground floor now provide plenty of space
and light for precisely these needs. The living space extends from the
existing building into the garden, creating a large, wide stage. In fact,
the young daughter uses the raised level for her first performances,
and there is now even enough space for cartwheels. The new garden
façade acts as a versatile layer of space. Hidden in the wall of joinery
isa toy cupboard hiding the chaos of family life. Inside, it is a place to
sit, an auditorium and a place of retreat; outside, it puts a friendly face
on the beautiful play, so to speak, bringing the greenery and sunshine
into the house. A cheerful, warm and colourful home has been created
here. You can feel the people who live here. Colours and materials fit
like a well-chosen piece of clothing. The free-standing kitchen unit,
for example, is made of plastic panels pressed from melted chocolate
paper. You can literally hear it rustling. So then: clear the stage!
AIT 7/8.2024 • 107