The site is a mountaintop, partially hollowed out to receive the 'shell' of the cell.
A section of the mountaintop remains in a 'natural arch' like form, over the mouth of the cell. This reinforces the idea of containment, and retains a visual element, to the scholar inside, of the greater context.
The cell protrudes through the rock of the mountain to expose an aspect window to the outside world. This form of window reflects the room depicted in both Vermeer paintings, with its single connecting viewpoint to the exterior. The strongly defined nature of the view allowed to the scholar also retains the idea of his imprisonment; as a geographer, yet still a prisoner, he is allowed a view of the landscape the mountain towers over yet is limited in that view.
Closeup of aspect window, viewing the interior.
The interior of the window, revealing the mood of the lighting in the cell.
Section revealed.
Side wall of cell.
Detail of stairs. The stairs here 'float' through their connection with the walls; the stairs and platforms disappear into slots in the walls, allowing the stairs and platforms - methods of circulation and study - to remain separate from the raw architecture of the cell, the unadorned and ascetic minimalism of the cell, designed to allow scholarly focus for the inhabitant.
Main section.
Detail of the 'floating' platforms and stairs. Here the mid-level platform allows an unobstructed view out of the cell, towards the sky. As an 'astronomer', the imprisoned scholar is yet again limited in his view. A portion of the sky is revealed past the overarching 'bridge' of stone above him.
The base of the cell features the scholar's sleeping alcove, reminiscent of a monastic cell. Here he can retire to rest or contemplate his studies. Shelves around the alcove allow access to items of study or to books, a reference to the idea of the 'scholar's alcove' as usually depicted in the paintings of St. Jerome.
The 'scholar's alcove' is referenced yet again by this '
room-within-a-room', his place of study as a 'geographer'. The roofing of the alcove does not extend fully to the walls, allowing another vantage point to the sky above for the scholar's role as 'astronomer'. The idea of the elevating of the spaces of study - the mid-level platform and the study alcove - and connecting them with steps references Antonello da Messina's painting of St. Jerome.
Shop window for the Michael Hue-Williams Gallery in Cork Street, London
Interior dealing space of the Michael Hue-Williams Gallery
Architecture refusing to compete with the artwork: Interior hallway of the Michael Hue-Williams Gallery
Stairs at their purest: Stairway in Pawson's private home
Plans for Pawson's private London residence; an influence in their clean linework
