Blackbox

BLACKBOX

Form_art Architects

Blackbox
© Tim Soar

LOCATION
Greater London, United Kingdom

CATEGORY
Houses

AREA
115.0 sqm

PROJECT YEAR
2013

PHOTOGRAPHS
Tim Soar

MAIN CONTRACTOR
Famella Building Contractors

STRUCTURAL
Hardman Structural Engineers

Blackbox
© Tim Soar

Text description provided by architect.

The idea of the mews served as the starting point for Blackbox in more ways than just its physical location.

In contrast to the traditional mews architecture of solid brick enclosures with tiny windows and little daylight, this design is filled with light, but still respects the contextual language of a 'solid box'.

The design features of the entrance courtyard and staircase in this instance are key for the purpose of generating light into the heart of the house.

Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar

As a result of the physical area given over to the courtyard, the ephemeral qualities created are 'borrowed' back so to speak.

This essentially refers to the light and views, with the staircase serving as a journey up Blackbox right through to the skylight.

Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar

This can best be described as the layering of views and the 'bouncing' of light within the house.

Simultaneously developed as a house gallery and vice versa, the design is a continuation of Form_art’s work with artists and galleries, namely their current engagement with the Tate.

The volume of space carved out by expressing the brickwork enclosure enables the inside to hold a pure white ‘floating’ box, suspended to further express the interior's language of 'objects'.

Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar

The project serves as a testimony to Form_art’s working ethos of generating work to test and develop ideas.

This process provides Form_art with complete artistic freedom as designer and client and hence, there is an uncompromised approach from initial design through to completion.


Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar


Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar
Blackbox
© Tim Soar