For a really successful project, a design scheme must begin with a strong concept. In designing this modenist house in Southwest London for a leading photographer, the architect David Chipperfield introduce a key structural element that would enable to connect the house to the garden. This was the reinforceed concrete beam that spans right across the width of the plot at first floor level. It is the bold intervention and certainly would not be the obvious solution, but it allows a splendid union between the house and garden. On one side of the house the beam visually encloses the paved external courtyard, and on the other, it frees the external wall from structural demands, making it possible for the wall to be fully glazed. The lateral spine wall can then thrust forward under the beam and out into the garden.
The result is an enlivening intergration of the internal and external spaces that can be viewed throughout the building. The floors of the living spaces are allowed to carry through into the garden on their diffrent levels, which increases the dynamic quality of the design. With such a strong design concept of interlocking spaces, it would only be appropriate for the garden to be treated in and equally bold and simple expression.
This project is wonderful example of the second wave of medernist architecture and garden design The use of concrete to form the structure allows the creation of interlocking spaces, which would not have been possible using a standard load-bearing construction. The result is superb feeling of freedom and lightness, which is made possible by this heavyweight construction.
