Westonbirt Community Shelter

While technically complex, the project was conceived, designed & constructed working alongside community participants with a range of abilities – demonstrating the mindful benefits of nature and co-creation. The shelter is made from trees that were due to be extracted as part of Westonbirt's routine woodland management cycle, as well as recycled aluminium signage from across the site. The design process involved high levels of engagement from the outset, using sketches, small models, digital scanning, large scale mock-ups and onsite fabrication to involve the community groups at every stage of the project. Considering the varying skills sets of the participants, the shelter provided opportunities for individuals to join in on a range of traditional green timber carpentry techniques, including steam bending, laminating and shingle making to build the unusual structure. The distinctive shape of the shelter has been deliberately created this way to allow inclusive design and offer the groups who will use the shelter a space that is non-prescriptive. The community that uses the shelter feel a sense of ownership, while those participants involved in the build process have experienced the pride in making this project, with a positive outlook on what they can achieve next. One of the carers said: “The project has really had a positive impact on our students. The real life application of the tasks that they have undertaken has been fundamental in this; the work they have done has been valuable and useful, never tokenistic. Every single member of our group is finishing their time in the project believing in themselves more, and with a real sense of pride and ownership".