UK studio Corstorphine & Wright has transformed a world conflict two bunker in Dorset, UK, into a vacation house with a blast-shaped window lower in its entrance.
Overlooking the English Channel close to the village of Ringstead, the two-bedroom vacation house occupies a bunker constructed as a part of the Chain Residence radar detection system in 1939.
Corstorphine & Wright labored with structural engineer Symmetrys to take care of a way of historical past by retaining nearly all the current construction.
“We wished to repurpose the derelict construction as a vacation house, however achieve this in such a method that enables the historical past and historic significance of the constructing to be learn and skilled by anyone staying within the constructing,” Corstorphine & Wright director Jonny Plant instructed Dezeen.
“Regardless of the bodily challenges, an important factor for us as designers was to inform the story of the bunker. Had we plastered and painted the partitions, put in commonplace fittings and timber flooring, all sense of the unique constructing would have been misplaced,” he continued.
“It’s crucial that if you keep within the bunker, you might be conscious that you’re staying in a bunker, not some other vacation house and that you’re experiencing historical past.”
Whereas nearly all of the construction of the 76-square-metre bunker was retained and left uncovered, the studio lower a big gap within the entrance wall to behave as a window.
As a playful nod in direction of the constructing’s wartime historical past, Corstorphine & Wright formed this gap to seem like a bomb blast.
“The opening was expressed in a playful design answer referencing a wartime vernacular of a blast opening,” defined Plant.
“The blast opening is a playful answer, technically difficult and is an actual speaking level. Our proposals have been strongly supported by stakeholders who, like us, appreciated that such a novel construction with a wealthy wartime historical past required a daring method.”
Throughout the bunker, rooms are organized across the central dwelling area, which comprises a log-burning range, seating and a eating desk.
The primary bed room is separated from the lounge by a glass door, whereas the kitchen, second bed room and toilet have been positioned within the rooms both facet. A second, smaller bomb-blast opening was created to permit mild into the second bed room.
Corstorphine & Wright wished the interiors to retain the character of the constructing whereas making it snug to friends. The concrete partitions have been left uncovered and a refined concrete ground was laid all through the vacation house.
“By not making use of any finishes to the within of the structural concrete, we have been capable of retain the sensation of a bunker,” mentioned Plant.
“This meant waterproofing and insulating the constructing from the skin. A brand new insulated, polished concrete ground with underfloor heating all through gives a snug setting together with the brand new furnishings and joinery,” he continued.
“The concrete has a naturally heat hue, doubtless as a result of native Portland stone quarries, which mixed with the brand new lighting and log burner present a welcoming heat to the areas.”
The venture was initially designed by UK studio Lipton Plant, which has since merged with Corstorphine & Wright.
Different bunkers which have been transformed into vacation houses embrace this one within the Netherlands, whereas Petr Hájek Architekti created a pet crematorium inside a Chilly Struggle bunker within the Czech Republic and South Korean studio CoRe Architects reworked a tank bunker close to Seoul right into a artistic hub.
The images is by Will Scott.
Challenge credit:
Architect: Corstorphine & Wright
Contractor: Eastments
Structural engineer: Symmetrys
Amount surveyor: Tim Richards
