Architecture
The infrastructure at Holton Lee has been thoughtfully developed over the last decade to reflect the charitable purposes of the organisation. All new buildings are one storey and have level access throughout. We have commissioned architects with a reputation for innovative and practical design.
The first new building to be constructed since the original accommodation was built in the nineties was Faith House, designed by Tony Fretton and completed in 2002. It won the Guardian’s Best British Building that year.
Fretton describes the building:
The building is an elegant flat roofed timber–framed structure, which sits at the top of a raised path, resembling a miniature Greek temple. Views of the surrounding countryside are afforded by full-length windows, opening the interior spaces to the trees and the sky beyond. The setting is enhanced by circle of cut trees, installed from floor to ceiling in the centre of the quiet room, creating a contemplative environment in which nature and art can be admired and studied.
Tony Fretton Architects were also commissioned to develop the Stables Artists’ Studios from an old stable block two years later. With their iconic saw tooth north window lights they provide four ideal accessible creative workspaces for artists.
The new Barn accommodation was designed by Stephen Taylor Architects and sits at a right angle to the original Barn building designed by Ken Morgan Architects in the nineties. It provides a ten twin ensuites rooms for people to stay on short breaks. Every room is equipped to the same specification giving guests a choice of where they would like to stay. Doors lead directly out into the beautiful surrounding landscape enhancing the sense of freedom that a stay at Holton Lee brings.
The next planned capital project will house the National Disability Arts Collection and Archive. Designed by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects, it will again display Holton Lee’s commitment to providing extraordinary resources with excellent accessible design at the core of its project work. The innovative architectural design that is the hallmark of buildings at Holton Lee needs to be complemented and enhanced by a coherent and innovative system for identifying buildings and features that works both practically and aesthetically.
