by Dominic Bradbury
Since launching his practice in 2001 with The Lawns, which was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize, Nick Eldridge has become renowned for his beautiful bespoke houses. This book provides a wide-ranging survey of his key projects up to the present day including the Manser Medal-winning house, Greenways in Coombe Park. Eldridge is an architectural storyteller: thoughtfully responding to different landscapes, settings, histories, and clients, each house explores fresh narratives, while at the same time, being connected by strong threads to a cohesive body of work. Throughout the book Eldridge’s work explores and experiments: his houses feel fresh and different, lifted by an innovative approach to tectonic engineering and form fused with a passion for artisanal interiors, fine detailing, and characterful materials. They show the architect’s varied influences: from Arts & Crafts and mid-century modern through to hi-tech design. The projects analysed in the book are broadly divided into two main sections: new build projects, and highly imaginative, responsive adaptations, extensions, and reinventions of existing buildings.
