Wednesday
Mar142012
British minimalism
Wed, 14 Mar 2012
From Andy Martin Architects. Light and dark. Black and white. Solid and void. Weight and weightlessness. Day and night. The power of contrast and the beauty of simplicity of line.
Mews 02 is a single residence set in Belsize Park. The owners, a musician and his designer wife, wanted this existing mechanics garage to be converted to a 4 level family home, with the emphasis on the entertaining areas and with the ability to create private compartments over for sleeping.
Reader Comments (18)
wow.
I don't think that kind of window/door opening mechanism will work with a cat, they can accidentaly squeeze a cat on the other side when in a hurry as most cats I guess tend to run through closing door :/
Loving the white and big windows! When could I move in ;)
Hell to clean.
Oh god. That might be the worst thing I've ever seen. You expect something like that in a dysopian horror movie. Look how depressed the cat is! Won't someone pity the cat?! I seriously wish I couldn't see the brit in this... but I can. When the British get something wrong, they get it *all* the way wrong. /shiver, yeek/
The Spanish min is good.
It seems that everything is contemplated and considered to a detail, but I think, interior is too cold.
From an architectural point of view - WOW love - but on a personal note - no thanks not enough life and soul there for me - I am more of a flea market - eclectic nutcase :) Have a great day y'all.
Axxxx
Wow, I think this is really pretty. The space and light are gorgeous. I'd change the following: the mirror on the bathtub is a bit tacky to me, and the dark masonry block would have to go. Especially in the creepy stairway. If it were covered with wood panelling, imagine how warm and nice it would feel?
This is extraordinarily beautiful! I love the revolving wall, and the art there!
Hi, Wow love this place!! Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!
Oh, what some will put up with to impress! This is like the embodiment of being pretentious, impractical, and anal.
It would take a certain commitment to live in a house like this. Has anyone moved in yet?
Some sections are truly gorgeous like the red stairs, the pivot door, the pill wallpaper and the exterior courtyard.
The photography makes it sort of confusing -- is the artwork on the wall by the pivot door a changeable piece like a motorized billboard? It seems cool but I can't figure it out. Also, I LOVE the sink and backsplash all in stainless, but the orange vases were swapped for 2 green and black ones, so I was scratching my head trying to understand if they were the same sink. And those stairs! Children, older people, busy/distracted people and drunks could never manage those without an incident. In California you would host a party and get sued by the drunk guest who took a header and lost 3 teeth and broke an ankle tumbling down those steps.
I also feel like this place would look better a little messy. If there were some dishes out, and a book, laptop, magazines... I mean, right now it looks like a void where one is sentenced to forever wander from room to room polishing the surfaces. The black tile - it would have helped a lot if that tile were a happy color or natural stone. A few touches of wood could go a long way towards making it feel less severe. That glossy white floor would be an absolute nightmare to maintain.
I love it ! Its so perfect !
Is that a glass wall between the bed and the toilet? And how often in freezing rainy London would you be able to open that big door? I spy some real life clutter in there, but like the house itself, it's very carefully edited. Poor little cat, hope it finds a cosy corner in this sterile place in which nature has been banished....
It is so ironic how early proponents of modernism looked to create buildings that put function before form. This home is a prime example of how modern architecture has become just as frivolous as the buildings the movement was born in rebellion of. Seriously, what is the point of that silly revolving door? It takes up more space than side hinged french doors. How practical is the glass wall between the bathroom and bedroom? Does anybody actually COOK in that kitchen when everything is out of reach? On the plus side, in comparison to this dreary house, London's weather must seem positively heavenly.
What is it about minimalism that I love? Just so calm and chill. In a world of over stimulus, minimalism at home really gives life a sense of peace. I love this. Understated yet over the top.
Very interesting and good photography but I would rather look at your house....
I appreciate this house as something to look at, but I would go nuts if I'd have to live there. I'd feel like being in a slaughterhouse, especially with those freaky stairs! I sure hope that kitty has a nice snuggly place somewhere in the house. Other than that, awesome house.