Building project
We are currently fundraising to construct an architect designed building to house NDACA. Arts Council England have granted £350,000 and we have received grants from the Rayne Foundation and Mercers' Company Charities Investment Fund. If you would like to become a patron of NDACA , make a one off donation or have any fundraising ideas towards this capital build project please contact the arts team.
The Designs
After a competitive bid process Sarah Wigglesworth Architects were appointed to design a building to house NDACA in March 2006. Wiggesworth's design complements the existing buildings at Holton Lee, reflecting the different materials used. This includes the use of cob, a local traditional building technique which can be found in the existing East Holton Farmhouse. The cob wall will act as a high density insulator on the side of the building dedicated to archive storage. This will minimise the risk of dramatic changes in temperature which have a potentially detrimental effect to the objects within the collection.
The building will have a reading room for use a learning resource with four media desks to access the archive database. It is likely that books and periodicals will be housed here in library conditions. Wigglesworth explains:
"As the space is conceived as 'inward looking' lighting will mainly be provided from the north roof lights. Tiny slot windows afford protected glimpses of the outside and a more relaxed reading area has been provided at the far end of the of the building with a sheltered view. the main circulation for the building is incorporated into this open plan scape with generous space between furniture. Work surfaces and seating will be designed to accommodate a range of heights."
