The Nest - Star Gazing Pavilion

To be designed and constructed on a pre-selected site on the south-eastern edge of Talkin Tarn, near Brampton, Cumbria. The client brief was for a pavilion that would sit comfortably alongside the tarn to compliment the ancient landscape using natural, sustainable materials. The design references water fowl nests found around the waters edge and uses curved woven panels of coppiced hazel. Over time these will weather and blend with the adjacent woodland. For the Nest response we have proposed a partially deconstructed traditional roundhouse form. The roof is opened up to its maximum extent, based on the principles of reciprocal structural techniques. In doing so, the night-sky view from the reclined seating ring is extensive, and framed within the geometric arrangement of the interdependent roof beams. Each of the 12 seat modules is made up from two ribs, set at 20 degrees. The components of each rib are CNC cut from a single larch board, chosen in a size that was readily available, and to produce minimum wastage. They were then doweled, glued and screwed together. The seating surface has 24 individually cut planks. The woven hazel panels act as a structural skin. It was a key aspect of the commission to provide volunteer opportunities to people from across the remote rural areas of the North Pennines and beyond to raise awareness of traditional and heritage crafts. Over four weekends over 50 participants from a broad range of ages and backgrounds took part in hazel weaving workshops.