In my space
Ahead of Cambridge Open Studios, ceramic artist Katharina Klug shares a sneak peek into her breathtaking garden studio, where contemporary design meets sustainability
Words PHOEBE HARPER Images TIMOTHY SOAR
Vessels are a theme that bleeds strongly throughout local ceramic artist Katharina Klug’s body of work. In myriad forms, she toys with shapes and endless variations, manipulating white clay by hand on an electric potter’s wheel – as she has done since the days when she would use her mother’s own wheel during a childhood back in Austria.
“I come from a family that has always been busy working with our hands, making things,” she informs Cambridge Edition. “I find white clay to be the perfect canvas for patterns, shapes and contrasting colours.”
True works of art, her one-off pieces hark back to the styles of ancient Korean pottery and Japanese ceramics, but are also strongly influenced by mid-century designs with their striking simplicity.
However, beyond the art itself, one is led to contemplate the concept of the artist’s studio as the ultimate vessel – a kind of cauldron for creativity. It is the stage for the maker’s process, the nucleus of conception and the space which holds both the many instruments and outcomes of the artist’s practice.
Now, since opening her first workshop in Cambridge over 15 years ago, Katharina’s new studio – which is located at her home in Girton – is proving to be the perfect vessel for her craftsmanship.
A new sanctuary
Katharina’s home studio journey began with a self-built wooden structure in her old garden that gave her approximately 30 square metres of space to play with. “I would always run out of space and as you can imagine, being a potter, space is critical!” she recalls. “I spent years complaining to my partner that I needed more room, and we set ourselves a goal to find somewhere suitable when we started to look for a new house.”
After a property search which lasted several years, the couple struck gold with an 80s-built house that channelled the simplistic design elements of mid-century architecture with a nod to the prevailing fashions of the 60s and 70s. But best of all, the garden had enough space to accommodate the studio of Katharina’s dreams. “It was difficult to find anything on the market that would fit the requirements of a pottery shed – so we just thought to build another one.”
Despite the simplistic intention, a lengthy process ensued involving years’ worth of planning and getting the right permissions in place. The design itself is the result of much consideration, with Katharina and her partner consulting an architect to draw up some plans for a space which complements the existing property. “We came up with what we thought was an interesting structure and were lucky enough to find a brilliant, local, family-run business named Okopod specialising in green, prefabricated buildings.”
The final build stage of the process took just six months. The result is an architectural marvel which leverages cutting-edge design principles, blending sustainable building techniques with a minimal, contemporary feel. The studio harnesses natural elements wherever possible, allowing for maximum natural light – prioritising wood over concrete
and using natural insulation materials.
“The reaction from neighbours to seeing the structure come up has been quite interesting, but mostly positive – mainly because they’re interested in our construction methods since there’s barely any concrete involved!” exclaims Katharina.
As a space surrounded by mature trees, the couple were loathe to tear them down for the sake of the building. “It’s extremely difficult to build in this situation, since you can’t have a traditional building foundation if you want to preserve tree roots.”
Consequently, the design utilises an ingenious technique whereby it has been built on a kind of pylon, with pillars driven into the ground so the roots wrap themselves around them instead, allowing both nature and the space itself to thrive.
Step inside
Since January this year, Katharina has been making the most of her new haven. “It’s been wonderful exploring the space and getting to know it in a way,” she muses. “I love coming in here to watch how the light works and seeing how I can fit my practice around it.”
Something of a Cambridge Open Studios regular, Katharina has participated in the initiative several times from her old studio. But following a four-year hiatus to allow for a new baby, pandemic, house move and the creation of an entirely new studio, she’s eagerly anticipating a return.
“Even after Cambridge Open Studios, I would love people to reach out for an appointment just to come and see the space, or if they’re curious about what I do or how pottery works,” she concludes. “I’m excited to now be able to share the space with Cambridge.”
