공동묘지 안에 집을 만드는 것이 쉽지는 않을텐데 건축가의 신념이 대단하네요.
이곳에 묻혀 있는 유명 작가 및 아티스트의 묘지가 오히려
전통적인 장소로써 인식하게 된 거죠.
경사지를 잘 활용하여 전면외부의 묘지풍경과의 연계를
극대화 하려고 노력하였어요.
총 4개층으로 이루어진 단면조닝은 최상층에 메인 거실과 프라빗공간으로
나누어 계획되었네요. 천장이 열리는 톡특한 주방과 외부와 연결되는 발코니를
연결해주는 거실은 이 집의 메인 공용공간으로 뷰와 확장성을 다 겸하고 있어요.
한켜에는 주인의 스터디공간과 침실 공간을 계획 했구요.
저층부에는 게스트를 위한 공간과 주인의 작업실을 위치 시켰구요.
낮에는 숲과 고즈넉한 풍경이 어울러져 담백한 분위기 연출이
가능할 것 같은데 솔직히 밤에는 무서울 것 같네요.
Elliott House by Eldridge-Smerin Architects
in North London portrays a mystifying and enigmatic statement in a
somewhat spine-chilling location for some; at least we could say that
the neighbors are quiet! Overlooking a cemetery Elliot House
makes a bold, dynamic statement with its black granite façade, while
the interior makes an even more daring statement regarding its design.
But before you explore Elliot House we would like to
thank one of Yatzer’s favorite architectural photographers, Richard
Powers who has done his magic once more with exceptional photography.
The house reveals its true temperament when it is seen from among the gravestones of the upper section of Highgate Cemetery; the building opens up to the lush and sprawling graveyard through glazing and elevated balconies. Elliot House
replaced a building which was constructed in the 1970s, which was found
to be at risk of structural failure. The site was originally sold off
by the cemetery many years ago; the graveyard is home to Karl Marx, Christina Rossetti, George Eliot and the graves of many other writers and artists.
The gothic character was amplified after becoming abandoned and
overgrown in the 1970s; today, it is in the hands of the Friends of Highgate Cemetery. Furthermore, during the construction procedure and the uncluttering of the cemetery, Elliot
discovered that the grave of his own great grandfather – who he always
assumed had been buried in Scotland – was just thirty feet away!
Elliott House is a four storey building which has been
designed on a slope; it takes full advantage of the sloping landscape
and maximizes the linkages with the graveyards landscape by arranging
the program of the house. By doing so, Eldridge-Smerin Architects have
placed the main living spaces on the last floor. The main living
quarters consist of both communal and private spaces; an open plan
kitchen and dining area which features a retractable roof, but also
opens up to a furnished balcony, a study and a master bedroom are also
situated on the upper floor, creating an autonomous living area for
travel photographer Richard Elliott. The other floors are mainly used by Elliott’s
visitors, a large living room on the second floor with large openings
that reach out to the landscape, guest bedrooms on the first floor, and
a home cinema in the basement. According to Richard Elliott who was also trained as a chartered surveyor apart from being a travel photographer, “the
design was all about making the most of the views and the environment
around the house. The position of the house by the cemetery is by far
the most important consideration and we really wanted to embrace that.”
The program has been developed in such a way that the upper floor is an autonomous living space where Elliott can spend most of his time; the kitchen has been also positioned on the top floor along with a dining room as Elliott finds it “the most communal space of any house.”
The white lacquered double-row kitchen with the stainless steel
countertops and the retractable skylight blends in nicely with the
poured concrete walls and ceiling which have been used throughout the
house. Large glass window openings bring an abundance of natural light
into the concrete interior giving it a vibrant character. Eames Vitra
Wire Chairs DKX-2 have been used to compliment the interior Opus Magnum
dining table while Eames Vitra Wire Chairs DKR have been used for the
balcony table, in addition two white Vitra Panton chairs by Verner
Panton allow for visitors to sit and ponder the gothic cemetery. A
study desk in glass is a bespoke piece, designed by Eldridge-Smerin and
made by Italian manufacturer Santambrogio. While the floors throughout
the house are large black granite laser cut squared tiles, with some
glass floor openings by Compass Glass.
A concrete U type staircase leads to the living room creating a play of
light between the concrete stairs; a pink neon light strip adds a
modern touch throughout the stairway. The living room which is located
right below follows the same interior concrete design scheme, the
floors are again large black granite laser cut squared tiles, while a
French (sourced from Diligence, London), steel fireplace hangs in the
space. Flap Sofa in black leather by Edra and a Ligne Roset Togo Relax
lounge chair set the design tone for a relaxed, chilled out living
room, where Elliott’s visitors can enjoy happy and serene moments while pondering through the large window openings to the land of the dead.
A sustainable environmental approach allows for not only the strong use
of natural light and the benefits of solar gain from the south facing
windows, but also includes natural ventilation techniques for summer
cooling and a green roof. The embedded energy within the concrete was
lessened by using a local supplier that makes good use of recycled
material while the concrete floor pads also help to regulate the
temperature of the house. Triple glazing windows add to the thermal
efficiency of the building.
Despite the character of this astonishing home, with the distinct and contrasting elements, Elliott House manages
to open itself to the majestic gothic landscape of the dead through the
large glass window openings. Although the house itself has no gothic
elements, the tone set by the black granite and the cement application
in the interiors have set Elliott House as one of the modern landmarks in this part of London, having it already picking up new architectural awards for Eldridge–Smerin.
from yatzer
