Description

The Weald and Downland museum's gridshell is an undulating tunnel made from a complex weave of curving oak laths. Some of these laths reach 50 metres in length, and because of their slim, flexible construction give an unusual lightness and transparency to the building. 

The approach from the main visitor centre is along a steep footpath shaded by mature beech and ash trees. Timber steps lead up to a modest entrance though one of the fully glazed ends, with a dramatic canopy that extends overhead from the timber side cladding beneath the ribbon roof.

Due to the modest views of the shell from the main visitor path, the external form blends well into the forest. Although it retains the undulating, peanut-shell form of the gridshell, the transparent interior contrasts with a solid and impenetrable exterior. The oak cladding has weathered into the natural landscape and hides the relative youth of the building well. 

The main shell covers the surprisingly capacious (50x12x10m) main hall, which is symmetrical but for two angular, timber workshops tucked in to the southern end. This is not the only interruption of the fluid rise and fall of the structure as large, industrial heaters hang from the ceiling. Natural light enters through two strips of polycarbonate clerestory windows two-thirds of the way up the building.
 
The slope beneath the gridshell has been excavated to give basement storage for the museum's artefacts and on the lower side of the building an external concrete canopy has been added which, although angular and contrasting to the curve of the gridshell, complements it well.