Postmodern bureau FAT and tapestry, pottery and woodcarving artist Grayson Perry designed the Essex House, which has already received local government approval. It, like other Living Architecture properties, is located in a very picturesque area near the city of Harwich and the coast of the North Sea and will be rented to those who wish to relax there. Thus, the creator of the program, the philosopher and writer Alain de Botton, shows the public with specific examples that modern architecture is interesting, beautiful and convenient.
One of the prominent English artists, Perry, despite the choice of traditional means of expression, is a contemporary master: among the important themes of his work are gender issues, in particular the rights of women. "House in Essex" he conceived as the "sanctuary" of a certain Julie - a typical resident of this county. He sees in his villa a continuation of the tradition of roadside chapels, structures built in memory of deceased loved ones, architectural "fun", "homemade" and "fabulous" architecture.
This traditional house with a gable roof is modest in size from the side of the entrance located at the top of the hill, but then it "descends" down the slope, reaching its maximum height on the opposite side. This made the building less visible, reducing its visual impact on the landscape.
The roof of the house is crowned with a statue of Julie, the tiles on the facades and the weather vane are decorated with scenes from her life (difficult childhood, incomplete education, early marriage, childbirth, divorce, and finally happiness in her personal and professional life). Perry will also do tapestries, a chandelier, vases and wood carvings in the interior. Above the door outside, a statue of the heroine's cat will be placed. Inside, the main space will be a double-height living room with balconies of two bedrooms located on the second floor.
Along with this "gingerbread house", which will open in 2014, Living Architecture plans to soon begin construction on the Secular Retreat in Devon, designed by Peter Zumthor. He originally conceived it as a "mini-Stonehenge" (as readers of Building Design magazine called it) with megalithic walls. Now it is a discreet building of a smaller size and rectangular shape with two glass walls and a concrete roof "hovering" over the building. The house has 5 bedrooms and a living room on a total area of 356 m2.
In addition, a project by John Pawson "Peaceful Home" for Wales is in the works: the theme of peace is very important for this minimalist architect, who plans in this case to break all the "rules" of home arrangement. Living Architecture is also in talks with David Chipperfield and sculptor Antony Gormley to build a villa.
