The Derrington Building Studio, based in Austin, has built its own office in the city in Texas by obtaining exposed frames and raw materials with reference to “American industrial practicability”.
The Derrington Building Studio under the direction of director Tim Derrington designed the modest structure for a corner plot in the neighborhood of Montopolis.
With a 93 square meter footprint, the “deliberately practical” building with the idea was created that it could finally be converted into an apartment.
“When we started the journey to create our new home base, the practicality was of great importance,” said Derrington. “We had clear eye restrictions from the first day: affordable, simplicity of the construction and the foresight to design a space that could change from an architecture studio this morning into a comfortable residence.”
Instead of using a typical cavity wall construction that can accommodate moisture, mold, mildew, pests and sanitary or electrical problems, the team decided to clear the wooden frame inside.
In this way, all construction components and service elements remain exhibited as architectural details and were therefore carefully taken into account during the design process
The polyisocyanurate isolation was then given to the outside and wrapped in corrugated sheet-galvalume siding in order to fulfill its low-maintenance durability and reflect on the sun's heat.
“We have intentionally avoided complicated, costly details that the external specialists would require,” said Derrington. “Every feature – from framing to the end – was deliberately selected and monitored by our team itself.”
A flat canopy extends from the gable building to a spacious, covered veranda, which is flanked by a raised flower bed and contains an external storage unit and an outdoor sink.
Inside, the exposed wood structure takes on influences of Japanese, Scandinavian and alpine architectural traditions.
“The old wooden traditions of these cultures have been reinterpreted by a lens of American industrial practicability, which emphasizes the beauty, which is inherent in raw, responsibly applied materials,” said Derrington.
The angled rays rise via an open studio room with large white desks in which the team can work together, and shelves are built into the wall sections absorbed by windows.
A skylight offers additional natural lighting, and artificial lighting that is no longer viewed underlines the ceiling structure.
Deep Blue was selected for the minimalist kitchen cabinets and storage as well as the walls around the bathroom, while pale marble forms the worktops and the back splash.
A small meeting room, which is populated with wooden furniture, is located at the other end of the building and could be converted into a bedroom when the time comes.
Overall, the structure is simple and effective to show that “architecture, according to Derrington, does not have to be terrific or expensive to be effective”.
“True innovation and beauty can of course arise from constant curiosity, a clear occupation with practical realities and commitment to authenticity,” he added.
Many architecture companies design their studio rooms to present their ideals, skills and aesthetic tastes.
Others, who have recently completed offices for themselves, are Iksoi Studio, which has been rebuilt by a former factory in the Indian state of Gujarat, and Fletcher Priestarchitects created a “pioneer” material for his headquarters in London.
The photography comes from Leonid Furmansky.
Project loan:
Architecture and Lead design: Derrington Building Studio
Lead Designer: Michael Rahmatoulin
Civil engineering: Shane Tanner, bones
Owner and builder: Tim Derrington