RURAL SPORT & EVENTS VENUE

The client wanted a replacement building to cater for the estate’s shooting and fishing business. It is also hired out as a wedding and events venue. The building was required to provide catering facilities and entertainment space set in a remote rural location.

The site is the location of a previous building, and the proposals aim to empathise with the context of an agricultural barn set within the rural landscape.  For this reason, the pitched roof form of the Lodge has extended ‘cat slide’ sections that terminate at a lower eaves level in the traditional manner.  Similarly, the glazed openings are set within chunky timber frames and the taller entrance screen will be fitted with timber boarded ‘cart shed’ style doors for security and to reflect the agricultural nature of the vernacular.

The materials follow the traditional rustic theme employing plain clay tiles to the roof with bonnet hips and Berkshire orange-red clay bricks to the chimney and external lower walls up to plinth level.  The external walls above the plinth are to be clad with stained timber boarding in the traditional style. 

Externally, the existing boundary fences and hedges will be retained and enhanced as necessary with native types and species as appropriate.  It is proposed that the existing hardstanding areas will be removed, and the existing grassed