London North West, UK - A planning application for a reclaimed brick link building surmounted by a nineteenth century 17ft high salvaged Tudorbethan lead-clad timber cupola has been approved by Camden Council on behalf of Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter to join their two Belsize Park homes together.
Mark Wilding of Building Design magazine wrote that architectural salvage and design business Retrouvius had secured planning permission for extensive works to the adjacent houses, with a link at first floor level by a walkway supported by cast iron pillars, and featuring a 19th century timber and lead cupola, and the demolition of 1960s elements of the houses, including a glass-encased staircase and a conservatory. A two-storey extension is planned to replace the demolished section with a structure using salvaged red stock brick, timber windows and doors and timber cladding. Camden councillors voted to approve the proposals in line with planning officers' recommendations.
Before the go ahead had been given, Dan Carrier, of Camden New Journal, wrote that Tim Burton, best known for the quirky look and feel of his films, and their trademark set designs wanted to create a magical, mystery wonderland to call his own. The director who lived in Belsize Park in a converted mews studio with his actor partner, Helena Bonham Carter, had asked Camden Council for permission to demolish much of the home and replace it with a new extension. And to do so, he planned to use reclaimed bricks and historic, salvaged features - including a rooftop cupola complete with weathervane, dating from the turn of the 19th century. The council's report stated: 'The cupola will be a small-scale, somewhat quirky element.' Designs seen by the New Journal showed Burton wanted to take away a section of the house built in the 1960s - which his architects said was "dilapidated" - and replace it with a building of a similar size, using reclaimed red bricks, so popular in the Gothic revival period of the 1800s, and old timber and iron work. The application was made in the director's name, but his partner lived next door to him and the couple have knocked a door in their adjoining walls so the two homes were essentially one. The couple's co-joined houses date from the mid-19th century and were originally built to provide low-cost housing and studios to artists and craftsmen in the Belsize area. But the house the director bought next door to his English girlfriend had been radically changed in the 1960s: the design included a glass-encased staircase on the outside of the home. This will be lost now that the plans have been given the go ahead. In a report to the planning committee, council officers said the plans were for 'substantial demolition' but added that most of the original studio's fabric would be saved. Architectural salvage firm Retrouvious have been asked to oversee the work. The company declined to speak to the New Journal, but their website stated that they have done work that is both 'architectural and decorative... covering dates of building from the 15th century to now. We always try to incorporate some quantity of salvaged material, which is not always easy to spot as it is usually treated with a contemporary language.' Retrouvious add that they gather house trinkets and features from such as cupboards from the entomology department at the Natural History Museum, and fossil limestone after Heathrow airport's Terminal Two was demolished.
RETROUVIUS RECLAMATION & DESIGN
Camden New Journal: Council to consider film director Tim Burton’s plan for Belsize Park home
Building Design: Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton get planning nod in Camden
Story Type: News
ID: 62184
