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The Eel House

Part 1 Project 2007
Jonathan Schofield
 University of Plymouth | UK
The largest eel ever caught from a land line was hooked from Devils Point. The 'Eel House', positioned where this eel was caught, explores ephemeral moments between working spaces and living spaces and in turn how the users of those spaces interact. The commercial process of fishing, farming and preparing eels flows in and out of the family living spaces creating a constant reminder of the primary house function. Through this industrial process, the next generation of users have an added respect for a sustainable eel population and a sustainable lifestyle.



Jonathan constructed the Eel House brief for this six week long project to explore his interest in industrial form, integrated living and the creation of space that defies categorisation. The house plays:
with transparency for it stands on a breathtaking site and privacy,
with wet capes and dry beds,
with work and home
but mostly with the notion that no one can quite know what a house is.
For it is slick and cerebral, shiny but delicately observed, robust and ultimately fragile.
And when the eels are gone, what then?

2007
Exploded perspective highlighting the eel smoking towers. These prepare the fish to be exported and are visible throughout the house acting as a reminder of the primary industrial function.
Modelling the spatial qualities of two separate but linked spaces and the ephemeral moments created between them.
External Perspective from the fishing platform.
Structural model with cladding system.
Views of the Eel farm and living quarters where work interacts with family life.
Internal perspective from the family kitchen. The smoking tower cuts though commercial and living spaces.
Inhabited section depicting the working process juxtaposed with the living process.
South-East elevation. Where the farm meets the ship.
North-West elevation.
Site plan/Front elevation- The largest eel ever caught from a land line was hooked from Devils point.
Roof plan and perspective- Cladding denotes openings and air vents.
Upper Deck plan and perspective- Eel produce collection point and bedrooms.
Deck Three plan and perspective- Fishing changing rooms and master bedroom.
Deck Two plan and perspective- Living quarters and family kitchen.
Lower Deck plan and perspective- Eel farm to maintain a sustainable local eel population.
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