MATA
BLACK BOX
Bespoke counterbalanced shutters as part of a minimalist and reconfigurable extension design
LOCATION
LONDON, ENGLAND
CLIENT
MATA ARCHITECTS
DATE
2018
MATERIALS
STEEL / STAINLESS STEEL / LARCH / ENGINEERED COMPONENTS
SERVICES
Project management & Consultancy / Construction Design / Machining / Fabrication / Finishing / Installation
The extension is conceived as a ‘reconfigurable box’ in dark stained Siberian Larch. Two bespoke counterbalanced shutters are manually operated internally using handled winches. These allow for multiple configurations of the ‘box’, ranging from fully open to tightly shut.
The apparent simplicity of the box masks a very complex design process and the precision engineering that allows for the minimalist aesthetic. The carefully crafted result is borne out of a close collaboration with the architects and the structural engineer. The design and build challenge required full scale prototyping as well as many custom engineered parts. The final extension was largely prefabricated with the shutters tested in our workshop conditions before delivery and installation on site.
The dynamic nature of the facade encourages the user to interact with the architecture and adapt their environment for comfort.
Images & film courtesy of © Peter Landers
