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Tags:: Architecture; Wood

For photographer Ed Reeve, building his own house had been a lifelong dream. When he met architect David Adjaye, and found the perfect plot of land in London’s De Beauvoir Town, Reeve knew his time had come. The Sunken House, so-named for its excavated site, is a dark, cedar-clad cube in a stuffy part of town, where weathered brick and clay chimney pots are more common than modernist angles. — Max Fraser

The facade achieves a notable sense of verticality for such a stout structure, with its stained-timber cladding aimed straight up toward the sky. The heavy, horizontal brick-work of the neighboring Georgian houses seems to imply aesthetic controversy, but in fact, during its short planning review, Reeve's house received letters of support from no fewer than five neighbors. The front gate opens onto a driveway, which in turn leads to a private patio around back.

Photo by: Ed Reeve

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Greg03.25.2009

I love how the exterior goes so well with the neighborhood. True modernism being able to blend into historic neighborhoods without taking the charm away. Kudos.
bob24096404.09.2009

Hi Dwellers, Would anyone have a faint idea as to where I could find the plans for this fantastic house. I've written to David Adjaye's office, to the fortunate owner, posted requests on the ARoots forums, ... nothing ! I ever tried to estimate the dimensuions by comparing the façades with a car parked just in front of it, which was ridiculous and only brought contradictory results. I'm desperate. Pleeeeease help me. Thanks in advance. Kindest regards, Bob
joe nawabi05.05.2009

the front is 28 feet wide the height is 28 feet high and its set back 26 feet! each level is about 800 sqft approx!! if its two levels your looking at about 1600sqft convert that to metric online!!! although the interior is quite vague as to the exactness of size!!! hope that helps!
simon uk07.19.2009

bob, check out http://www.edsshed.co.uk/ - should provide you with what you're after I hope.

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