Cowper Griffith are currently involved in an exciting project in the arts and culture sector in Cambridge. This involves the substantial refurbishment and extension of an existing house to create artist’s studios in the heart of the city. The complex brief includes the retention of the existing barbers shop at ground floor level, and provision of a caretakers flat in the existing building.
The design uses a distinctive sawtooth roof form to angle large rooflights northwards. This allows constant ambient north light within the studio spaces, which is preferred in studios to avoid UV degradation or fluctuating light levels. The artists areas are concealed behind the street frontage on Cherry Hinton Road, and will be visible from the street as glimpsed views by passers-by. Contemporary materials are used in the extension to create a contrast to the existing Victorian building, including pigmented zinc roofing, grey brick laid with a textured face, and timber batten cladding. A series of spaces with movable partitions are created to allow flexibility for the users to undertake small commissions or to open up their studio to the public for masterclasses or other events. Communal areas are provided to create a sense of community and allow exchange of ideas.
When the project was approved at planning committee, the councillors noted that the project would be a real asset for Cherry Hinton Road, and they were fully supportive of arts spaces being embedded in the city.
