Two Pavilions

Architects
Carmody Groarke

Year
2016/17

Build cost
£975K

Location
Old Bearhurst, Ticehurst

Awards
RIBA South East Award 2018

Myriad created two pavilions by building a new one of a kind, self-contained hermitage guest suite; and renovating a dilapidated 18th Century single storey farm building into an Artist’s Studio.

Myriad designed, created and installed the hermitage interior, comprising a bedroom, bathroom & small kitchen. A bespoke round door for the tunnel was crafted, complete with round handle. The hermitage is a singular, square, oak-lined room; a single large window overlooks a beautiful man-made lake and small island.

In collaboration with Stephen Evans at Erigo Structural Engineers, Myriad created the tunnel as a design and build, which involved finding a solution for the tunnel, the tank and drainage; ensuring the materials were waterproof, structurally sound and within budget.

Myriad supplied and installed the oak flooring and oak jetty, which is suspended over the secluded lake for a tranquil, restful retreat.

The journey from the existing house to the hermitage is like something from a spy movie; only accessible via an impressive 3m diameter, 40m long, galvanised-steel under floor lit, underground tunnel.

There wasn’t much of the original farm building left, apart from a few parts of its existing perimeter brick walls.

However, the remaining brickwork of the proposed Artist’s Studio was retained for its handmade quality and character.

The figure of the original walls was completed inside and out in polished in situ concrete.

A new steel plate roof blends with the original brickwork to give a rustic look. The roof overhangs the existing footprint to create covered outside spaces to work.

The four large windows provide plenty of natural light, and are positioned to provide specific views and topographical levels of the surrounding farmland.

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The long marshland grasses will eventually encompass the building only leaving the steel roof visible.

Polished concrete was used to create work surfaces and a sink area to complement the look of the studio.