Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche sees life as being centred around the struggle between 2 elements fighting for control, the Dionysian (chaos) and the Apollian (order). It is only through this struggle and mediation between these two elements that justice can prevail. This studio required a terrace house design that establishes a way of living that embodies the concept of justice for an eclectic couple. The Darlington Terrace instills this concept throughout by mediating between juxtaposing elements within architecture - minimalism/maximalism, connection/isolation, light/darkness, interior/exterior and public/private.
The terrace house is ordered along a central spine, with the ground plane becoming a terraced, open landscape with sliding doors allowing the connection/disconnection of spaces and the public realm of the street. A series of staggered ‘pods’ float above, contrasting with the simple, textured materiality of the ground level. Each pod is formed by a strong, intense, tactile and visually stimulating sense of materially. Through a balancing of these elements visually, spatially and audible distinct spaces are created, providing the house with an eclectic character and remaining easily readable. In doing so, the architecture creates a language which is experienced through the senses, in particular touch and sound.
In collaboration with Candace Dinkha
