Eagle Rock House

A metaphor of suspended flight – Eagle Rock – its anatomy.

An essay in sequential space, geometry and light/shade modulation.

The client’s wish for a bird form is translated through the articulated structure and suspended wing; the tail as a trapped ‘crystal greenhouse’ protecting plants as a counterpoint to the natural landscape; the movement of the external blinds as a play on ruffling feathers responding to the climate; the loft (bird’s head) as the focus and energy centre.

Originally conceived as a sculpture whose planes, structure and joints were articulated in primary colours, this idea changed to camouflage, using subtle autumn colours, and vertical landscape meshes between the garden and the house, to dissolve the solid vertical planes leaving only transparent openings linking internal and external spaces.

The construction of the in situ slab, steel frame and suspended steel wings with its glazed roofs, heat pump and passive energy collection was undertaken by specialist contractors, while the insulated ply and double glazed walling and all internal construction and finishes were by carried out by students from the AA School of Architecture, alongside Ian Ritchie Architects and Hanscomb QS. The entire project managed by Ian Ritchie Architects. It was completed in 1981. It has been owned for the last 3 decades by Andy Earl and Sophie.