A nineteenth century artist’s studio is adapted for a twenty-first century painter by Syte Architects

Buildings.

The seven-metre high studio at Greville Road in Maida Vale, north London, dates from the late nineteenth century and in the latter half of the twentieth century was the workplace of the sculptor and Royal Academician Willi Soukop. The artist Ben Pulsford is the current owner, who has used the studio for the last twenty years. Additional work space, together with plenty of storage for Ben’s canvases and materials, were the requirements of the brief.

Ampetheatre

A floating mezzanine was inserted into the vaulted studio space and the new floor was designed so that it keeps free of the perimeter walls and clear of the tall studio doors. Glass floor panels run along two sides of the mezzanine to maintain the sense of openness.

Ampetheatre
Ampetheatre

The new staircase was conceived to be an integral part of the large storage unit and read as one entity. The spacing of staircase treads established a module which formed the rhythm of the whole storage unit and these developed into a series of vertical fins that could be inhabited in various ways for the storage of paintings and materials. Double depth storage is available under the first flight, slimming to a single depth under the upper flight. The entire storage unit is constructed from birch-faced plywood.

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The listed building officer from Camden supported the continued evolution of the space as a living working artist’s studio, able to adapt to the occupant’s requirements.

Additional Images

Credits

Architect
Syte Architects
Structural engineer
Michael Barclay Partnership
Lighting consultant
Syntax Lighting

Lighting
ERCO Lighting
Timber
Peak Oak
Main contractor
Aspect Construction