The House that Eden Built

Fisher Cheng was shortlisted and subsequently Highly Commended for their entry to the House of Colour competition run by the Architects' Journal in association with James Hardie and Berkeley Homes.  Entrants were asked to come up with concept designs for a £15,000 playhouse which would appeal to children while also showcasing potential future colour trends in residential design to be built on a Berkeley Homes residential development in Reading.

 

The judges commented of the proposal:

​

"a romantic idea ‘with an eccentric tropical aesthetic’, adding that the ‘shingle tiles, maze-like ground floor and flexibility of the concept’ had all impressed them."

​

(For full coverage in the Architect's Journal please click here and here)

​

In the spirit of New England folk artist Earl Cunningham, The House that Eden Built explores the unsuppressed use of vivid colour, combined with the playful incongruity of unexpected objects. Cunningham’s paintings depict a unique view of New England as an Eden, and is the inspiration for the androgynous title of the project.

​

This year ‘millennial pink’ has quite possibly reached its peak, with the shade proliferating catwalks and design shows alike. Although likely to hang around, its prevalence symbolises a wider trend toward hues that blur the boundary between colours that can be easily named. The use of colour combinations in more unexpected ways, as beautifully illustrated in Cunningham’s paintings, can add richness and enjoyment to the urban fabric.

​

The House that Eden Built examines the potential for exceptional colour combinations, while at the same time creating a fun, exploratory playspace for children that can be enjoyed into the future.

​

Judging Panel:

Will Alsop - aLL Design

Karen Ogden - James Hardie

Martin White - Berkeley Group

Caroline Thomas - Arup

Will Hurst - Architects' Journal