Exemplary approach to passive design and long-term sustainability. Temple Complex by James Gorst Architects
12/04/2023.
[Hampshire] UK
metalocus, JOSÉ JUAN BARBA
metalocus, JOSÉ JUAN BARBA
James Gorst Architects has completed a new temple complex in the village of Rake, Hampshire, within the South Downs National Park, in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to approximately 1.9 million people, Hampshire is the 5th-most populous county in England.
The practice, led by James Gorst, was selected following a two-stage design competition in early 2017 with a brief to replace the existing dilapidated 1970s complex.
The new building, which is open to the public, comprises a temple, library, chapels, meeting spaces, a public foyer and a catering kitchen within newly landscaped grounds. The rationalised plan is organised as a series of orthogonal pavilions connected by a cloistered walkway, facing onto a central courtyard garden. The internal organization follows a progression from secular to ritual spaces, moving from a timber portico and social foyer at the visitor entrance in the east, through to the main temple space in the west.
The practice, led by James Gorst, was selected following a two-stage design competition in early 2017 with a brief to replace the existing dilapidated 1970s complex.
The new building, which is open to the public, comprises a temple, library, chapels, meeting spaces, a public foyer and a catering kitchen within newly landscaped grounds. The rationalised plan is organised as a series of orthogonal pavilions connected by a cloistered walkway, facing onto a central courtyard garden. The internal organization follows a progression from secular to ritual spaces, moving from a timber portico and social foyer at the visitor entrance in the east, through to the main temple space in the west.
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Model. Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Pendentive Dome Model. Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Model section. Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Prayer Chapel Model. Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
Axonometric view from below. Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner
With a brief to create a building characterised by encouraging a spiritual connection to the surrounding landscape and its simplicity, the James Gorst Architects team used a restrained palette of materials to create the spaces, such as timber, brick and chalk lime mortar typical of Hampshire context.
The building demonstrates an exemplary approach to passive design and long-term sustainability. James Gorst Architects adopted a ‘fabric-first’ approach to the build, with the main structural frame entirely constructed off-site from glue-laminated timber, engineered to eliminate the need for any steelwork.
Underfloor heating is provided by a ground source heat pump that is buried in the landscape, with additional power provided by photovoltaic panels.
The inner temple’s pre-cast pendentive arches provide thermal mass. A raised floor slab naturally cools the internal spaces with fresh air supplied by an underground labyrinth ventilation system, while high-level actuators in the temple clerestory allow warm air to escape.
The building demonstrates an exemplary approach to passive design and long-term sustainability. James Gorst Architects adopted a ‘fabric-first’ approach to the build, with the main structural frame entirely constructed off-site from glue-laminated timber, engineered to eliminate the need for any steelwork.
Underfloor heating is provided by a ground source heat pump that is buried in the landscape, with additional power provided by photovoltaic panels.
The inner temple’s pre-cast pendentive arches provide thermal mass. A raised floor slab naturally cools the internal spaces with fresh air supplied by an underground labyrinth ventilation system, while high-level actuators in the temple clerestory allow warm air to escape.
"Our aim was to create a balance between the landscape, building and interiors, to form one coherent and harmonious design, exploring the relationship of the architecture to the spiritual context."
Steve Wilkinson, Associate at James Gorst Architects.
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner.
Collaborating with landscape architects McWilliam Studio, Wilkinson and the team undertook a wider reorganisation of the site, providing a series of gardens connected along pedestrian pathways, to allow for moments of contemplation and connection to the surrounding valleys. At the entrance to the building, two reflection pools animate the east façade and offer a moment of pause and meditation, while the central courtyard is sized to mirror the internal footprint of the temple.
"Our design for this temple complex is the result of a very detailed journey of collaboration with our client. The process of listening and responding to their unique requirements over an extended period of time allowed us to create a building that is closely tailored to their needs, and which expresses our ethos of sensitivity, proportion, and purpose."
David Roy, Director, of James Gorst Architects.
Temple Complex in Rural Hampshire by James Gorst Architects. Photograph by Rory Gardiner.
Project description by James Gorst Architects
Situated on the spur of the hillside projecting westwards with expansive across the South Downs National Park, the new temple is grounded on an ancient ley line connecting Chapel Common to the old nunnery of Lyss Place.
Commissioned by The White Eagle Lodge, a spiritual organisation founded in 1936. The complex has been conceived as a composition of orthogonal pavilions unified by a cloistered walkway, facing an open central courtyard. The arrangement of these pavilions is shifted locally, to create carefully landscaped gardens and to address the processional requirements of the group.
Within the building, the temple follows an outworking of sacred geometries and harmonious mathematical ratios imbued in the philosophy of the White Eagle Lodge, investigating the relationship between the space occupied by a complete congregation and architecture as sacred expression. More images to follow later this year.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Landscape Designer.- McWilliam Studio.
Structural Engineer.- Eckersley O’Callaghan.
Timber Frame.- Pacegrade.
M&E Consultant.- Skelly & Couch.
Quantity Surveyor.- Jackson Coles.
Project Manager.- Jackson Coles.
CDM Advisor.- Jackson Coles.
Acoustic Consultants.- Theatre Projects.
Planning Consultants.- Dowsett Mayhew.
Structural Engineer.- Eckersley O’Callaghan.
Timber Frame.- Pacegrade.
M&E Consultant.- Skelly & Couch.
Quantity Surveyor.- Jackson Coles.
Project Manager.- Jackson Coles.
CDM Advisor.- Jackson Coles.
Acoustic Consultants.- Theatre Projects.
Planning Consultants.- Dowsett Mayhew.
Client
The White Eagle Lodge.
General contractor
Beard Construction.
Area
GIA (Gross Internal Area).- 555m².
Dates
Start on-site.- Spring 2020.
Location
Liss, Hampshire, UK.
Photography
James Gorst. James Gorst Architects
James Gorst Architects was established in 1981 and for over forty years they have collaborated with their clients to realise their architectural ambitions as they change over the course of a lifetime. They provide a uniquely tailored architectural service encompassing all of your properties from listed townhouses and apartments in the world’s capitals to large, contemporary residences in the British countryside and beyond.
Their considerable experience in gaining planning permissions and consents for challenging sites has allowed them to produce some of the largest new residences in the United Kingdom alongside the refurbishment of the Royal Exchange in the City of London and the construction of a new Orthodox chapel on the island of Mykonos, Greece. Through these exciting projects, they have earned a reputation for sensitive and highly crafted work, which is technically sophisticated and rigorously detailed. They rely on a trusted network of professionals and craftsmen to deliver the highest quality of workmanship.
They have an established reputation in the world of furniture and interior design and they regularly collaborate with artists and textile designers. In their view, a sensitive approach towards the subtle intimacies of the interior is as important as the ability to handle the challenge of architectural form. Their approach is to build a close relationship of trust and collaboration with you as their client to produce award-winning architecture and interiors.
Awards.-
2019 – RIBA National Award Winner – Hannington Farm
2017 – BD Architect of the Year Award
2016 – RIBA National Award Winner – Fulford Farm
2015 – AJ Small Projects Finalist – Greek Chapel
2014 – RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award – Hurworth House
2014 – RIBA Award – Brick House
2014 – Manser Medal Longlist – Brick House
2010 – Manser Medal Shortlist – Leaf House
2010 – RIBA Award – Leaf House
2004 – Manser Medal Shortlist – Wakelins
2004 – RIBA Award – Wakelins
2003 – Sussex Heritage Trust Award – Whithurst Lodge
2002 – RIBA Award – Whithurst Lodge
1997 – Civic Trust Award – Glebe Place
1988 – Civic Trust Award – Gibson Square
Their considerable experience in gaining planning permissions and consents for challenging sites has allowed them to produce some of the largest new residences in the United Kingdom alongside the refurbishment of the Royal Exchange in the City of London and the construction of a new Orthodox chapel on the island of Mykonos, Greece. Through these exciting projects, they have earned a reputation for sensitive and highly crafted work, which is technically sophisticated and rigorously detailed. They rely on a trusted network of professionals and craftsmen to deliver the highest quality of workmanship.
They have an established reputation in the world of furniture and interior design and they regularly collaborate with artists and textile designers. In their view, a sensitive approach towards the subtle intimacies of the interior is as important as the ability to handle the challenge of architectural form. Their approach is to build a close relationship of trust and collaboration with you as their client to produce award-winning architecture and interiors.
Awards.-
2019 – RIBA National Award Winner – Hannington Farm
2017 – BD Architect of the Year Award
2016 – RIBA National Award Winner – Fulford Farm
2015 – AJ Small Projects Finalist – Greek Chapel
2014 – RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award – Hurworth House
2014 – RIBA Award – Brick House
2014 – Manser Medal Longlist – Brick House
2010 – Manser Medal Shortlist – Leaf House
2010 – RIBA Award – Leaf House
2004 – Manser Medal Shortlist – Wakelins
2004 – RIBA Award – Wakelins
2003 – Sussex Heritage Trust Award – Whithurst Lodge
2002 – RIBA Award – Whithurst Lodge
1997 – Civic Trust Award – Glebe Place
1988 – Civic Trust Award – Gibson Square
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