The competition called for proposals for a non-denominational gathering space on the site of an existing agricultural building, in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside.
The proposal encompassed a desire to retain the setting and scale of the existing building, with the evocation of a new sense of light and energy. The idea was to ‘re-skin’ the existing frame, stripping away its brown industrial exterior and re-dressing it in a crystalline skin. The building takes on the familiarity of greenhouse, reflecting the notion of germinating new things. We wanted to recycle found structures in the barn, and in particular utilize the straw bales in such a way that they would create spaces. The repositioning of these would create the ‘gathering space’, which draws its centre stage presence from Edvard Munch’s painting ‘The Dance of Life’. The earthy terracotta coloured render is central to the composition, in the same manner that the red dressed woman is to Munch’s painting. We believe that this ‘Wabi Sabi’ inspired approach can make a dignified yet cost-effective setting, rooted in the existing ambience and reality of the place.
Out of over 100 entries, our scheme was long-listed to the final 50.
RIBA Competition
Green Burial Site Competition, Alne Wood Park, Warwickshire
Nov 2012 - Jan 2013
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