Designing the workhome: from theory to practice

The underlying research is based on the premise that the 'workhome' [the building that combines dwelling and workplace] is an old but little written about or understood building type that has existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years and continues to exist all around us in our cities, towns and villages. The history of this building type was traced from medieval times to the present day in England. An investigation of the contemporary form of the workhome was made through an analysis of the lives and premises of 76 home-based workers in urban, suburban and rural contexts in England. The project involves developing a design guide [and pattern book] for buildings that combine dwelling and workshop, based on a) a history of workhomes from medieval times to the present day in England, and b) an analysis of the contemporary form of the workhome through the close scrutiny of the lives and premises of 76 home-based workers in urban, suburban and rural contexts in England in 2005. A number of typologies, and other design considerations, are explained through the representation of a series of exemplary buildings.