SYMBOLISM
A metaphor of suspended flight - Eagle Rock - its anatomy.
ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT
An essay in sequential space, geometry and light/shade modulation. The client’s wish for a bird form is translated through the articulated structure and suspended wing; the tail as a trapped ‘crystal greenhouse’ protecting plants as a counterpoint to the natural landscape; the movement of the external blinds as a play on ruffling feathers responding to the climate; the loft (bird's head) is the focus and energy centre.
Originally conceived as a sculpture whose planes, structure and joints were articulated in primary colours, this idea changed to camouflage, using subtle autumn colours, and vertical landscape meshes between the garden and the house, to dissolve the solid vertical planes leaving only transparent openings linking internal and external spaces by continuous vistas.
CONSTRUCTION
Steel frame, suspended steel wings, glazed roofs, insulated ply and double glazed walling, in situ slab, incorporating passive energy collection. Built under project management by Ian Ritchie Architects, by professionals and students from the AA School of Architecture. Steel structure weight 48kg/m2.
AD Silver Medal 1983 and contributed towards the Iritecna Architectural Award for Europe.