Projects
The Butterfly House
An architectural study in zoomorphic design, a sculpture inspired by the life cycle of a butterfly to demonstrate experimental environmental design on a liveable scale.
Size
Location
Surrey
Status
Complete
Contractor
Designers
Chetwoods Architects
Client
Private Client
Photographer
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Butterfly House, a remodelled 1930s timber-clad family home.
The Butterfly House’s three main components were inspired by the three stages of metamorphosis. The larval stage was represented by a steel bridge with curved balustrades hinting at the segmented body of a caterpillar leading to the house, the chrysalis was captured by the staircase, enclosed areas of the house and a conservatory, and the final winged butterfly was represented by retractable winged external canopies spread as sun shades over a paved garden space. The interior of the house was alive with colour, with a web of fibres, wires and cables cocooning its inhabitants.
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impact
Project Highlights
- Shortlisted for RIBA Manser Medal
- Remodelled 1930’s house
- Experimental environmental design
- Based on the lifecycle of a butterfly
A comment on the project
"The architect deserves praise for the way that art and design have been integrated in this building. Innovation and experimentation are the key drivers behind the design vision and this has created a truly unique and different building."
RIBA Awards Judges
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