The new studio for opera set designer Professor Pamela Howard FRSA is in the back garden of Stewarton, her home on Park Lane in the historic fishing town of Selsey in Sussex, and is clad in blue grey fibre cement Weatherboard as well as roofed in the company’s fibre cement slates.
While the origins of Prof Howard’s home are not unusual in the area but nevertheless modest - it was originally two railway carriages – it played host in its time to the former King and the woman he eventually gave up his throne for as well as our war time leader when he was the First Sea Lord.
Architect and town planner Douglas Briggs designed a 27m² timber frame studio for £36,000 to fit its attractive coastal location and specified the Marley Eternit Weatherboard for its durability.
Moreover, so popular has it been and not just with its owner, that several other houses in the area have since been clad in the material, including an extension to a Pullman carriage! Not only is the Weatherboard low-maintenance and fire-resistant, it is resistant to the corrosive, salt-laden atmosphere on the coast.
“It is very appropriate for this beachside location,” said Douglas Briggs.
A thrilled Prof Howard added: “The light on my beloved and beautiful studio that Douglas did so brilliantly is truly wonderful, especially early in the morning when the sun rises on the sea and projects shadows of the trees onto the front.
“Since I had it built there have been at least four other houses built in this material – two blue and two cream – and all because my studio was such a success!”