Work is nearing completion on a new woodwork facility at the School, a building which embraces sustainable development and is thought to be the first stand-alone timber-pole building at any school in England.  This Woodland Workshop is the brain-child of Designer-in-Residence, Stephen Owen, whose concept has been realised by Godalming architects, Nye Saunders.  When finished, the Woodland Workshop will stand as an example to the next generation of builders and home-owners of the principles of ‘green’ development, with its carbon footprint kept to an absolute minimum.

 

This is being achieved by the use of locally-sourced chestnut trees for the poles which form the framework.  These stand on pad foundations which have minimal impact on the environment.  The building will use recycled newspaper as insulation, wood pellets will be used as heating fuel to achieve carbon-neutral emissions and there will be a system to collect rainwater for re-use.

 

In supporting the construction of this building, Cranleigh is hoping to give a lead to the wider community, as well as to the  world of education, in the growing debate on sustainable development.  The steady progress of the project and the construction of the studio is being recorded by Stephen Owen (who is also a professional photographer and recently won the international ‘Ilford Photo Image on a Box’ competition).