Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre

Alec French Architects

Sheepdrove, one of the largest organic farms in the UK, required a highly sustainable Centre for the promotion of organic farming and biodiversity.

This conference facility is part of an 800 ha organic farm. The building structure is a modern interpretation of a traditional cruck-framed long barn. A parabolic arch form was created to mimic the function of the traditional cruck frame without the need to source large, naturally curved sections or to use fabricated glue-laminated sections. The arches are faceted in lengths of seasoned Douglas fir, with laminated timber knuckles. The wood has been left unfinished apart from a light sandblast that allows the texture to show. Walls and ceiling are lined in ash and the flooring is oak.

Location:

Berkshire, England

Reference:

The Architects’ Journal, 15 July 2004, p 24

Sheepdrove Conference Centre