The Mysterious Layout of 221B Baker Street: A Dollhouse Project

As I delved into creating a dollhouse model of Sherlock Holmes' iconic residence, 221B Baker Street, I found myself entangled in a web of intriguing mysteries that have left me scratching my head. In this article, I'll share my findings and attempt to unravel the enigmas surrounding this beloved abode.

The first puzzle I encountered was the seemingly disproportionate party wall separating the kitchen from the rest of the room. The wall's thickness, around 350mm in depth, raised questions about its purpose. Was it simply for aesthetic reasons or did it serve a functional purpose? Furthermore, the edge of the kitchen worktop appeared to be unusually close to the edge of the cabinet, despite the typical depth of such a surface being around 600mm.

My curiosity led me to investigate the extension at the back of the kitchen on the first floor, which I hypothesized might be intended as Sherlock's bedroom. However, this theory is challenged by the fact that there are already several rooms in the building that could accommodate his sleeping quarters. The inclusion of this extension thus becomes perplexing.

Another anomaly caught my attention: the non-existent basement window in 221C, situated directly underneath Speedy's Cafe. This raised questions about the layout and design of the building. Researching Google Earth images revealed that the real-life building at 185 North Gower Street, which was used as the exterior for 221B, has no such extension on its back.

Despite these inconsistencies, I decided to continue with my SketchUp model, using objects from Google's 3D Warehouse to create a representation of 221B Baker Street. My goal was not to create an accurate replica but rather to have fun and explore the possibilities of this beloved setting. Through my research, I discovered that staticlights had already shed light on some of these mysteries, leaving me with little new insight to contribute.

As I worked on my model, I began to appreciate the challenges of recreating a fictional environment with real-world constraints. My project was not without its limitations, as I relied on available objects rather than attempting to create exact replicas of the show's set pieces.

In conclusion, while my SketchUp model may not have provided definitive answers to these mysteries, it has been a fun and engaging hobby that allowed me to explore my creativity. Perhaps someone will come along and provide a more convincing explanation for these anomalies, but until then, I'll continue to enjoy this fascinating dollhouse project.

Sketchup warehouse dollhouse