New York-based architecture and design firm 0 to 1 recently completed a project called "Artist Retreat." Located in Fiskars, Finland—an artist-centric village of scissors fame—the private guest house was commissioned by a Finnish fine artist as a live/work space for a guest artist.
The sectional shape [the yellow quadrilateral at the end] is a quarter of an octagon. It increases in size from building front to back creating a utility cube with sleeping loft above at the higher end, a work space in the middle and an outdoor terrace at the lower end.
According to 0 to 1, "the form was generated from local climate, Finnish culture, and functions / guidelines provided by the Artist."
It's certainly a compelling structure—almost furniture-like in form, constructed from impeccable materials—yet I can't help but wonder about how much of the interior actually functions as a studio—i.e. there's a reason why artists prefer warehouses and lofts.
(more...)