Grand Designs in Brixton, Channel 4

[teuchter]

Of course, but surely you would agree that there are equally effective options that don't look quite so unfriendly as this daunting construction?

Just because it might not satisfy your conservative tastes, doesn't mean that you can expect everyone else to find it Stalag-like or unfriendly.

The gate is partly see-through, anyway.

Have you actually gone and looked at it yourself since it was finished?

 

[Rushy]

Of course, but surely you would agree that there are equally effective options that don't look quite so unfriendly as this daunting construction?

I find it difficult to marry your enthusiasm for the iconic landmark nature of the barrier block (your home) with your dismissal of this one of being unfriendly, daunting and stalag-like. I guess it is just a matter of familiarity.

I don't think that what they have done is inappropriate for the building. I like that the carport has gaps between the panes of glass to allow sightlines in and out. I understand the general uneasiness about everything being gated but also understand from experience why people do it around here. Bear in mind that during the build his brother had £6K of tools stolen from a locked shipping container on site (of which, incredibly, he got about 2/3 back apparently) and the ground floor will be an architect studio pack with high end Macs.

As for closing people out, they have just spent two days allowing anyone who wants to the opportunity to wander about their house by themselves.

 

[Manter]

I suspect they get paid a fair bit of money for being filmed. They are always running over budget on these schemes.

Nope, they don't offer money and you have to sign a release saying they can talk to your builder,srchitect, neighbours etc, have free access ot the site and can use what they like. Mugs the lot of them

 

[editor]

I find it difficult to marry your enthusiasm for the iconic landmark nature of the barrier block (your home) with your dismissal of this one of being unfriendly, daunting and stalag-like. I guess it is just a matter of familiarity.

I actually also describe the Barrier Block as 'Statag'-like and unfriendly, but it's a bit of a ridiculous comparison anyway. The Barrier Block wasn't constructed to be a trendy minimalist Zen retreat: it was built to bounce back the noise and pollution from the proposed elevated motorway that was going to stand directly in front of it.

 

[teuchter]

It's not just a "trend zen retreat", there will be a working office on the ground floor. If they had left the frontage open to the street then they would have had to have some kind of rolldown shutter on the shopfront which is probably less friendly than a translucent gate which you can look through which will likely be open during the day anyway.

So have you actually gone to look at it editor or is it just ill-informed bluster?

 

[gaijingirl]

Nope, they don't offer money and you have to sign a release saying they can talk to your builder,srchitect, neighbours etc, have free access ot the site and can use what they like. Mugs the lot of them

but in this case he was the architect..... pretty good publicity there for him.

 

[teuchter]

but in this case he was the architect..... pretty good publicity there for him.

Not necessarily, depends what spin they decide to put on things. In this case he seems to have come out OK though.

 

[gaijingirl]

Not necessarily, depends what spin they decide to put on things. In this case he seems to have come out OK though.

yes I was talking about "in this case"...

 

[editor]

It's not just a "trend zen retreat", there will be a working office on the ground floor.

I was quoting directly from the Grand Designs website:

In Brixton in south London design-mad couple Mary Martin and Carl Turner want to build a home that resembles a giant stack of glass cubes that's a Zen retreat from the noise and chaos of the capital.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/episode-guide/series-8/episode-7

 

[Winot]

The 'slipped' top level reminds me a bit of Will Alsop's Palestra building opposite Southwark tube.

 

[Rushy]

I was quoting directly from the Grand Designs website:

You could quote the Architect's Journal:

Designed by Carl Turner Architects as a prototype for adaptable terraced housing, Slip House sits on one of four empty plots within a row of Victorian terrace houses in Brixton.
The house, which is the architect’s own house and office, occupies the entire width of the site and will become one element in a row of modern houses, as surrounding empty plots are developed.
The building’s sculptural form is created by three ‘slipped’ boxes that step forward towards the street from the rear of the site. The boxes have been placed to maximise both internal light and views from within the house while not intruding on the neighbour’s outlook.
The street and rear facades, and the entire first floor, of the house are clad in milky, translucent glass planks, which rise to create a roof terrace that stretches the entire length of the house. The translucent nature of this enclosure allows the house to avoid the overlooking issues.
Designed to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5, the house features ‘energy piles’ that utilise a solar assisted ground source heat pump creating a thermal store beneath the building, as well as, photovoltaics, a wildflower roof, rain water harvesting, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and massive levels of insulation.

Or the architect's own view from the Architect's Journal:

Designing and building your own home is both a privilege and an immense challenge. First and foremost it has to be home, then maybe, an inspiring piece of urban design. We also wanted it to be sustainable both ecologically and financially.
We set out with a simple sculptural form of three cantilevered (or slipped) boxes, the uppermost sheathed by a translucent glass screen. This upper box houses our living space and connects to a ‘sky garden’. The middle box houses sleeping and bathing, with the ground box given over to a multi-purpose space, currently housing our studio. This arrangement allows flexibility for future adaptation and uses.

Or you could quote the dumbed down for the telly chatter of a junior meedja intern.
Whichever works best for you.

 

[editor]

Or you could quote the dumbed down for the telly chatter of a junior meedja intern.
Whichever works best for you.

As I recall, the phrase "Zen Retreat" was spoken by the woman herself, who was describing her own house.

(Or Zen something or another)

 

[leanderman]

It's horrible.

 

[Rushy]

As I recall, the phrase "Zen Retreat" was spoken by the woman herself, who was describing her own house.

(Or Zen something or another)

I can only conclude that you must feel pretty strongly about it as it is not like you to pick up on a casual comment, or even word, which may or may not have been uttered and, ignoring any evidence to the contrary such as a comprehensive written statement of intention, turn it into a cast iron evidence of the pointlessness and imbecility of others, and then repeat ad nauseam.

 

[editor]

I like some of Carl Turner's other projects though. Stealth barn is very pleasing.

 

[editor]

I can only conclude that you must feel pretty strongly about it as it is not like you to pick up on a casual comment, or even word, which may or may not have been uttered and, ignoring any evidence to the contrary such as a comprehensive written statement of intention, turn it into a cast iron evidence of the pointlessness and imbecility of others, and then repeat ad nauseam.

You can conclude whatever you like, but I'm really not that bothered at all - I was just reporting what was said and what was widely written. Not sure why you're getting your knickers in such a twist for either, to be honest.

 

[Rushy]

You can conclude whatever you like, but I'm really not that bothered at all - I was just reporting what was said and what was widely written. Not sure why you're getting your knickers in such a twist for either, to be honest.

You were reporting a word and turning it into a character assasination. You're right though. I shouldn't let it bother me. Carry on and I'll say nothing more.

 

[teuchter]

I was quoting directly from the Grand Designs website:

so are we to conclude that your opinions are based on pictures and Grand Designs website info rather than from actually having looked at the thing for yourself?

 

[editor]

so are we to conclude that your opinions are based on pictures and Grand Designs website info rather than from actually having looked at the thing for yourself?

I watched the program, and have looked at the photos on the architect's site and read the articles linked from this thread. I believe that entitles me to an opinion, or are you going to rather tragically insist that everyone's opinion is invalid unless they've physically stood outside for a while like you?

 

[editor]

You were reporting a word and turning it into a character assasination. You're right though. I shouldn't let it bother me. Carry on and I'll say nothing more.

Exactly where have I used it as a " character assasination" please? It was their own description, not mine.

Thanks.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

I went to have a look at it today as I cycled past. It's ok. I'm not a massive fan of the design but I think it's fine and I'd happily live in it. It doesn't matter that it doesn't "fit" with the rest of the street IMO, though my one gripe is that the front of the house does not line up with the fronts of the other houses (it projects out further) which makes it look a little untidy. The effect therefore is to make the house stand out more than it needed to.

It was grey and overcast when I when past, so the building looked quite dull. Though as you can see from the photos above, it obviously looks better in bright sunlight.

 

[gaijingirl]

It's absolutely not my cup of tea but I do appreciate having different kinds of building and architecture about. It makes thing much more interesting.

 

[teuchter]

I watched the program, and have looked at the photos on the architect's site and read the articles linked from this thread. I believe that entitles me to an opinion, or are you going to rather tragically insist that everyone's opinion is invalid unless they've physically stood outside for a while like you?

I am going to insist that an opinion about how a building "feels" from the street is more valid if it's based on the actual experience of seeing the physical object which is the building, in its context. I also insist that an opinion is more valid if it's based on a proper understanding of what the building's function is (ie. not just a home but a working architects' office) especially if it relates to particulars such as the gate and how it relates to the street.

Anyway, I didn't say anything about your opinion being "invalid" - just observed that you twice avoided answering the question of whether you'd actually gone and had a look at it yourself.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Is this Brixton's 'gate gate' ??

 

[IC3D]

Has anyone noticed the gate is just built into an already existing wall, I like it.

 

[Rushy]

Has anyone noticed the gate is just built into an already existing wall, I like it.

Good point - their front gate used to be the back garden wall and garage. The gate follows the line and height of what was there and what still exists next door.

 

[Crispy]

EDIT: Actually I'll stay out of this one.

 

[teuchter]

Has anyone noticed the gate is just built into an already existing wall, I like it.

yes

it's part of a row of garages with locked doors onto the street

 

[leanderman]

By their account, some idiot sold them the house behind, not realising it had a garden big enough to split and create a 'free' building plot

 

[leanderman]

And their budget is 'tiny' only because they want to avoid having a mortgage like most 'plebs'