WEALD & DOWNLAND OPEN AIR MUSEUM’S
INNOVATIVE NEW ‘GRIDSHELL’ BUILDING
WINS
BRITISH CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AWARD

 The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum’s innovative Downland Gridshell building  has received the 2002 British Construction Industry Small Projects Award. The judges said that  “no other project in a hotly contested category came close”. 

The curved structure, mirroring the South Downs landscape in which it sits, fulfils the Museum’s objective to encourage modern building with integrity.  The building, completed this summer, has already won a RIBA Architecture Award, was a runner up for the Stirling prize, and has received an RIBA Sussex branch Outstanding Client award.

The BCI award scheme was started in 1988 to reward projects that deliver high quality infrastructure – building and engineering – to time and cost.  The construction industry had a deservedly bad reputation for going over time and over budget, but the high quality of the BCI awards and commendations are a measure of the improvement that has taken place over the last decade.

The Downland Gridshell was an innovative project which required a high degree of commitment from the team of architects, engineers, project managers and contractors.  The BCI judges commented, “Downland Gridshell’s woven timber structure was driven by a superb team who blended high-level theoretical analysis and top-quality craft skills to create a unique structure from tiny slivers of oak.” 

Richard Harris, Museum director said “For those of us who had the privilege of being involved in the Downland Gridshell project the BCI award is a just reward.  The building has demanded and continues to receive a huge measure of dedication from the design and construction team, Museum staff and volunteers – and visitors.” 

Special interest tours, ‘Under the Surface’, have been designed to offer exclusive insights into the Museum’s exhibit buildings and include the Downland Gridshell and a Tudor lunch.  ‘Under the Surface’ tours are offered on Wednesday throughout the winter, for details please contact the Bookings Secretary on 10243 811459. 

The Museum is open daily until 1st November from 10.30am – 6.00pm, with Downland Gridshell tours at 1.30 pm.  From 2nd November the Museum is open weekends only, 10.30am – 4pm. General information can be obtained from the recorded information line – 01243 811348.  Visit the Museum’s website on www.wealddown.co.uk.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum is England’s leading museum of historic buildings and traditional rural life.  Over 45 historic buildings represent the homes and rural workplaces of the past 500 years in South East England. The Museum, which is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections, runs a lively programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts.  There is also a café using the Museum’s own produce and a shop with gifts and books on countryside and buildings themes.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Reporters and photographers are welcome at the Museum. For further information contact Operations Director Gail Kittle
Tel: 01243 811481
Fax: 01243 811475
Email: gkittle@wealddown.co.uk.

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