Corten House - why do people love it?

Credit: Anthony Coleman

Two of our best known projects are probably the 'Corten House' in St Werburghs, and the 'Engine House' (or Bedminster Housing) in the south of the city. Both are visually arresting buildings in prominent positions that sit bounded by roads bringing plenty of attention from passers-by. The former won 3 RIBA awards, and has been written about in the AJ, RIBA, Dezeen and various local papers, so we wondered what is it about the Corten House in particular that draws people in?

Credit: Anthony Coleman

I lived in Montpelier for two years, a stone's throw from the site and would often cycle past it on my way home from finishing a day of studies as an architectural student, and watched it gradually come to completion. What struck me then and now was that it both stood out and blended in! This rusty box peeking above an existing graffitied wall appears to be really part of its place.

It's a project that brings out the nosy neighbour within us all; I was desperate to know what was going on behind that wall! On one occasion I was nearly knocked off my bike while deliberating whether it was a separate house or an extension of the one next door? I couldn't imagine how it could be a house on such a small site? This project is simultaneously publicly visible and interesting, yet annoyingly private. I think it's a wonderful lesson in creating a unique project that adds to the street 'collage' yet maintains a dignified, appropriate level of privacy for those dwelling inside - particularly in such a busy urban location. 

It has captured the imagination of both locals and architects; It's a strange, awkward triangular site with many restrictions. What makes it so brilliant is that it is just obviously clever. Quickly, anyone no matter of architectural training can see the design constraints, and straight away see the design solutions. The project is satisfyingly understandable, and that makes architectural design accessible for all - one of the core values of our practice. 

Credit: Anthony Coleman

So often award winning houses are hidden behind undisclosed ‘private’ budgets, and all that screams that award winning, great architecture is only for the very wealthy and is therefore inaccessible. Yet here Barefoot Architects have been open with the budget and demonstrated how clever design and sustainable houses can be built on modest sites, with a relatively modest budget (£250,000). To me this is refreshing in a world where shortlisted and award winning houses usually come with a 6 figure budget.

As we look for more creative ways to develop appropriate housing in our cities, it's a challenge to the architectural profession to not turn aside those weird leftover sites but to see them as a real design opportunity. I think that to the public and indeed the planners this project is exciting, yet 'in keeping'. Whilst to designers it's a satisfying solution on a very constrained site.

Rarely is housing designed and built where everyone is happy with the result: the client, the architect and the public. The Corten House seems to have achieved this, and won the accolades to attest to it. We'd love to work on more little bits of cities that need a little bit of imagination and a lot of love to transform them into unique, ecological homes together with our clients.