Not for everyone

It’s interesting to hear people’s reactions to our house. ‘Strange little house’, ‘this is different, innit?’, and ‘this is brave’, are a few of my favourites.

Plonking a black brick block at the end of a traditional Victorian tree lined street in London is going to draw opinions, and I welcome them. Architecture, as an art form, is supposed to bring a reaction, to make you feel something. I understand that projects like this challenge the status quo, question heritage and history, and force us to look at our communities with more nuance.

While I love how bold and unapologetic the design is, I’m also aware that it was still required to be respectful and sensitive to get past planning. It sits lower than it's neighbours, and along it’s side there are recessed parts to reduce its mass. It reminds of how people whose physical appearance for whatever reason is ‘othered’, may shrink themselves to appear less aggressive or frightening.

So, when I hear ‘how strange!’, I just shrug and say, ‘Yeah, it’s not for everyone’.

(Well, in my head I’m thinking, ‘who asked for your opinion, piss off’- don’t judge me).