Simon P Walker

From time to time, we may have the opportunity to indulge an alternative career- 'the one we could have done in another life'- for me, that's being an architect.

I had that chance in 2007 when we redeveloped our house in Oxford. The design principles upon which I worked were simple enough. Light, connection with the outside world; and I wanted to retain the narrative of the building- as they say, so that its story could be 'read' through the building. I was also interested in juxtaposing the period with the contemporary.

The so called floating mezzanine floor is a device favoured by modernist architects- the illusion of a great weight being supported on apparently thin air, or at the very least a structure too delicate to bear the load.

Another device, which plays on the way human beings experience delight, is the use of 'squeeze points'. My own college, Christ Church, in Oxford exploits this to great effect- you are funnelled through narrowings- passages and vestibules, out from which break spacious vistas. The contrast allows one to experience anticipation followed by fulfilment. The vista does not disclose itself all at once, but allows you to 'unrobe it' if you let it lead you. I like the way that delight demands discovery and commitment on the part of the viewer and have played with this idea in the structure of my own small redevelopment.

What do you think?