Architecture

Quirky refurbishment "slides" seaside townhouse facade onto the ground

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The newly opened installation will stay put until October, 2014 (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
It's not unusual to see a project that straddles the worlds of art and architecture, but this piece by Alex Chinneck is surely a stand-out (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
The work is titled From the knees of my nose to the belly of my toes (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
A gaping cavity exposes the innards of the top floor.(Photo: Alex Chinneck)
It's not unusual to see a project that straddles the worlds of art and architecture, but this piece by Alex Chinneck is surely a stand-out (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
The work is titled From the knees of my nose to the belly of my toes (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
The newly opened installation will stay put until October, 2014 (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
The property had stood vacant on Godwin Road in Margate, England for 11 years before the district council okayed the installation (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
A gaping cavity exposes the innards of the top floor.(Photo: Alex Chinneck)
The work is titled From the knees of my nose to the belly of my toes (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
It's not unusual to see a project that straddles the worlds of art and architecture, but this piece by Alex Chinneck is surely a stand-out (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
The newly opened installation will stay put until October, 2014 (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
The property had stood vacant on Godwin Road in Margate, England for 11 years before the district council okayed the installation (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
It's not unusual to see a project that straddles the worlds of art and architecture, but this piece by Alex Chinneck is surely a stand-out (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
The newly opened installation will stay put until October, 2014 (Photo: Alex Chinneck)
View gallery - 30 images

It's not unusual to see a project that straddles the worlds of art and architecture, but this piece by Alex Chinneck, wonderfully titled From the knees of my nose to the belly of my toes, is surely a stand-out. I'm not sure which is the most eye-catching feature of this bizarre refurbishing of a four-story house: the curving brick facade that seems to have slipped down onto the ground, or the gaping cavity exposing the innards of the top floor as the notional result of said slide.

The property had stood vacant on Godwin Road in Margate, England for 11 years before the district council okayed the installation. It's an area that has suffered from the dreaded d-word (decline) as tourism has decreased over the years.

The work was conceived entirely by 28-year-old artist and designer Alex Chinneck who, having been given the go-ahead, spent six months convincing industry to donate the materials, expertise and machine time needed to see the project through.

"Alex Chinneck's practice playfully warps the everyday world around us," says the accompanying press release, "presenting surreal spectacles in the places we expect to find something familiar."

The newly opened installation will stay put until October, 2014. It's hoped cultural works like this will help to boost tourism in the area.

Source: Alex Chinneck

View gallery - 30 images
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9 comments
Chris__
I think the title is a bit misleading - surely a non-functional art facade does not constitute a 'refurbishment'. I opened the article expecting a story about interesting architecture and was disappointed.
The Skud
So what next? The "new, improved" version with a complete front wall? Clever, but ultimately pointless. I wondeer if they sealed and waterproofed that gaping hole / floor / ceiling, or if the next decent storm fills it with water!
nutcase
sometimes art+architecture=crap
StWils
Dali and other DaDaists would be Delighted!
anobium
Quality bricklaying, but is this house really for living in? How do you keep the rain out and why is all that crap left in the loft? A piece of self-indulgence IMHO.
Mirmillion
Better to slide than to topple. Maybe these guys are onto something re: earthquake readiness.
Gregg Eshelman
Will it be fixed up into a proper house after the "art" is done or will it be all knocked down?
Riaanh
A nice bit of fun, lighten up guys. I am sure the neighbours prefer this bit of art to having a run-down property next door. Hopefully it would draw a few extra tourists to the area.
noteugene
"A nice bit of fun, lighten up guys. I am sure the neighbours prefer this bit of art to having a run-down property next door. Hopefully it would draw a few extra tourists to the area." I getcha. But it just seems to me more $ could be made renting the structure out. I don't see this as being a huge tourist draw. It also appears to be on a public street. I can drive by, click it w/out paying. I "flip" property, but maybe I should become an artist.......