After the fire in April which destroyed the Woodland Workshop, the new sustainable building at Cranleigh, interest and support is still very high. The building, brainchild of Designer-in-Residence Stephen Owen, was the first of its type on any school campus in the country.

 

Demolition has now taken place, making way for a fresh start.  The metal feet the building stood on have been salvaged but less than 5% of some of the timber is considered to be re-usable.

 

Stephen comments, ‘’I am still amazed by the interest and support from the school and wider community.  There have been generous offers of local timber and, following a report in a national timber magazine, offers of specialist help as well’’.

 

News of the fire has shocked the sustainable timber-building community as many were charting the progress with a keen interest.  There were letters of support from as far away as Chile and South Aftica.

 

Stephen adds, “We will soon be putting out to tender the larger elements of the building work, and the selection process of the new trees has begun. Much tramping round local and distant woods gives one a sense of excitement to see the natural material still growing, and knowing that it will soon be the building material that will provide a new studio to work in. Choosing your wood when it is in this state seems the logical way: it may be a bit slower than ordering timber off the shelf but it is hugely satisfying and gives you more time to plan. We should be physically building again by the autumn once all the paper work is sorted out.”

 

Head, Guy Waller adds, “Stephen’s positive attitude in getting this building to rise from the ashes like the phoenix has been an inspiration to the whole School community and we are proud to support his re-building project.”