East Sussex, UK
Warren Farm ART IN NAture
Project Build Length: 3 Weeks
Project Leaders: Kerry Husselbee, Maolin Huang, Harrison Marshall, Harry Thorpe and Joshua Peasley
Participants: Levona Chan, Nasrin Fotohi Ardekani, Camille Gaggiotti, Jim Biddulph, Chak Wai Lee, Hannah Lammiman, Tien Le, Lauren Lin, Siyu Li, Alastair Castro.
Project Brief: In June 2024, CAUKIN Studio returned to Warren Farm for an experimental project that blends architecture with art. Building on previous education spaces, this initiative aimed to focus on material exploration, using locally sourced natural resources. The three-week collaborative process resulted in an artistic wind barrier for the site's new yurt, home to yoga and wellness classes. Partnering with Cherry Wood Adventures and Longbridge, the project involved young learners in the design and build phases, fostering creativity, sustainability, and a deeper connection with nature.
Project Partners: Longbridge, Cherry Wood Adventures, Inndexx
Our Services: Brief Development, Concept Design, Developed Design, Technical Design, Construction, Project Management and Educational Workshop Delivery.
Sustainable Development Goals Supported:
Summer 2024 saw the 4th project in a series of collaborations with Cherry Wood Adventures and Longbridge, to complete an innovative structure at Warren Farm, Sussex. Designed to shelter the Sussex Shala - a yurt used for yoga and wellness classes - the structure aimed to address the powerful winds sweeping across the valley while enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape. The brief challenged the team of participants to create a sculptural windbreak that could simultaneously provide protection and open up to frame the stunning valley views when conditions allowed.
The design process took place on-site, incorporating ideas generated during collaborative workshops with children from Cherry Wood Adventures. This engagement ensured the final structure was not only functional but also a reflection of the creativity and imagination of the children who use the site regularly.
The completed structure rests on gabion cage foundations filled with flint sourced from the Sussex Downs, grounding it in the landscape both physically and materially. This foundation provided a robust base to withstand the high wind loads whilst ensuring minimal concrete usage or need for excavation.
The design is a multi-faceted form featuring fun elements that integrated into the structure, including:
An insect hotel, fostering biodiversity and creating a small refuge for local wildlife.
Viewing tubes, precisely positioned to frame specific vistas of the valley, offering visitors an intimate connection with their surroundings.
A series of five 'thrones', sculptural seating elements that invite contemplation and interaction with the space.
Throughout the project, the collaboration with local children was central to the process. Design sessions with Cherry Wood Adventures introduced participants to fundamental design principles and encouraged them to explore creative problem-solving. Their contributions shaped elements of the final design, creating a sense of ownership and pride in the finished structure.
The use of materials was a significant focus, with the structure incorporating elements from an old grain silo located on the farm. This reuse of materials aligns with the ethos of sustainability and circular design which Longbridge fosters, minimising waste while imbuing the project with a sense of history and place.
The windbreak’s sculptural form effectively disrupts and softens strong winds, providing shelter for the yurt and its users. However, when the wind subsides, the structure can open up, allowing the Sussex Shala and its visitors to enjoy the panoramic views of the valley. This flexibility enhances the structure’s functionality, making it a dynamic and responsive addition to the site.
This project marks the fourth consecutive collaboration between CAUKIN Studio, Cherry Wood Adventures, and Longbridge. It builds upon the existing outdoor education and social spaces at Warren Farm, which have collectively become known as The Nest—a hub for learning, play, and connection with nature.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Cherry Wood Adventures, the team at Indexx, Longbridge, the children who joined the sessions and as always, our amazing participants!
