Architects: Studio Weave
Location: Northumberland, UK
Year: 2009
Photographs: Peter Sharpe, David Williams, Courtesy of Studio Weave
Collaborators: Kielder Art
Architecture Programme: Price & Myers, Millimetre
From the architect. Freya and Robin are manifestations of a love story embedded in the stunning landscape of Kielder Water and Forest Park, home to the largest man-made body of water in Europe and surrounded by commercial forest. With the client, we chose two sites on either side of the lake and through our proposals sought to create evidence of an imagined fairytale, creating a playful and magical link across the water. The structures form stopping points that peer at each other and enhance a sense of place along the new Lakeside Way for walkers and cyclists.
We embraced the man-made nature of this ‘rural’ context and considered the site a stage set against which we could tell a story. We developed a narrative that guided and informed design decisions from beginning to end, proving an effective forum for architect, client and fabricator to collaborate. While creating evidence of an imagined fairytale, the pavilions also meet technically demanding requirements, including all-year-round accessibility, robustness for constant public use and resistance to extreme weather conditions.
The project has been recognised in the Wood Awards and the European Copper in Architecture Awards. It was even chosen as a perfect spot for a marriage proposal!
Freya and Robin / Studio Weave originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 19 Mar 2014.
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