Greenwich Writer’s Studio

Given that we spend an inordinate amount of our time writing here at Coolector HQ, we know only too well how difficult it can be to find a space in which you can fully concentrate on the task at hand and that’s why things like the Greenwich Writer’s Studio from Eric J Smith Architects very much resonates with our sensibilities. A fortress of solitude is something that is free from distraction will stand anyone’s writing in good stead and this is exactly the sort of thing we’ve got in mind here at The Coolector.

The Greenwich Writer’s Studio from Eric J Smith Architects is located in Connecticut and uses stone, oak and glass to reinforce is sense of belonging amongst its woodland setting. This small but perfectly formed property is positioned on a wooded plot in the Connecticut town of Greenwich, and was built for retired banker John Barr, who served as a longtime president of the Chicago-based Poetry Foundation – this serves as his retreat to tackle any writing tasks he has to complete.

Creativity Catalyst

It’s not until you’ve got a space which is purely dedicated to writing or being creative that you realise what a difference it makes to your processes. We’ve seen few more inspiring options than this stunning Greenwich Writer’s Studio from Eric J Smith Architects which doesn’t just have a pleasingly minimalist interior to keep the mind clutter free but the breathtaking backdrop of the Connecticut woods to help promote a restful state of mind to act as fuel for your own creativity.

The Greenwich Writer’s Studio was built several hundred yards away from the main home of the client and his wife. The poet turned to New York architect Eric J Smith to deliver a relaxing space where he could read and write, while nestled within the trees. The client also required plenty of extra room in the Writer’s Studio for his 1,700-volume poetry collection which, needless to say, takes up quite a bit of space.

Designed to provide an escape from contemporary living, the Greenwich Writer’s Studio is rectangular in plan, and the 650-square-foot (60-square-metre) building partly cantilevers over a rocky hillside, which slopes down toward a small ravine. The architect behind the project decided to clad the exterior walls in fieldstone and bluestone with the objective of integrating and blending the structure with the natural terrain. The irregular, rocky pieces are positioned in such a way so as to evoke a dry-stacked stone wall – a feature which can be seen throughout historic New England.

Devil in the Detail

The Greenwich Writer’s Studio might be a pretty small structure but there are plenty of impressive little details included by the architect. For example, the building is entered through a glass pocket door, which is protected by a sliding panel which has been crafted from beautiful distressed oak. From there, you will pass through a corridor surrounded by oak bookshelves before arriving into the quiet room purpose built for the owner to do his reading and writing.

As if to add to the majesty of the Greenwich Writer’s Studio, it’s not rare to say wildlife passing in front of the large windows of the building and we can think of few spaces more relaxing looking than this one in which to do one’s writing. In addition to the writing space, the studio also boasts a kitchenette with a small fridge, coffee maker and sink, along with an understated bathroom with an incinerating toilet. Rough-hewn stone walls and wide-plank oak flooring are found throughout the studio and add a real rustic charm to proceedings.