Chatsworth Stickyard Outdoor Education Centre
The Stickyard was a redundant and derelict 19th Century cart shed and outbuildings within the grounds and parks of Chatsworth House, a grade 1 listed property.
This project delivered an innovative series of teaching spaces, inspiring creative teaching and pedagogies through a series of dynamic forms and the areas that they define.
The conversion of the Stickyard at Chatsworth House, is an integral part of the Devonshire Educational Trusts strategy for the delivery of innovative flexible teaching spaces.
The Chatsworth Stickyard involved the conversion of a redundant and dilapidated 19th Century Cartshed; built in support of the adjacent Kitchen Garden in 1880.
The Stickyard lies within the grounds of Chatsworth House Derbyshire, the ‘Parks and Gardens’ fall within a general Grade 1 Listing (English Heritage ID :1000355).
TheEducation Centre is integral in providing an innovative aspect of the education provision at Chatsworth; by encouraging economic and educational regeneration; community engagement and design development with end users; the use of traditional skills alongside modern construction methods whilst providing access (including DDA) to never used before areas.
Philosophy of Repair and Conservation
The project aimed to conserve, protect and convert the buildings. The need for
conservation was of critical importance, due to water damage and their state of
disrepair. A comprehensive design philosophy was developed, underpinning the whole project:
Works combined the use of traditional stone and historic lime mortars with stainless steel, used both structurally and decoratively.
Engagement with local blacksmiths to fabricate new bracing to the existing ‘Belfast Trussed’ Barn.
Engagement with local historians and the Chatsworth estate to use locally sourced materials with traditional detailing and construction methods.
Integrate sustainable construction methods and technology seamlessly and discreetly.
New elements/ facilities were placed as free standing ‘sculptural elements’ within the spaces.
Where possible off-site manufacturing was employed to reduce works on site reducing the programme whilst improving build quality.
Architectural Design
The design concept is to work within the parameters of the existing structure and allow all New elements to be lightweight modular elements that are distinct in form and appear to float within the existing structures. This allowed the existing
structures to be prominent and distinct, reinforcing the character of the Stickyard. The accommodation provided consists of the following:
Original Cart Shed
The existing ‘gardeners mess room’ utilised as a ‘history room’ to re-inact life in 18th/19th century agricultural Britain.
The external areas are to have a series of lightweight timber framed pods inserted (finished with Gold heritage Paint) acting as WC/ store pods (utilising dry composting toilets) and be used to sub-divide the space and form a central handwash area.
Open Barn Structure
This structure is to be refurbished and kept largely intact; a series of slot roof lights will be incorporated into the roof.
There is an existing water powered saw mill which has been retained, this has been enclosed in a circular 2.2m high screen, clad in half trunks cut from the estate, surrounded by stump seats again sourced from the Estate.
The perimeter walls, seating, and steps are constructed from reclaimed timber baulks which were cleaned and fixed in position using concealed stainless steel rods.
Care was taken to ensure accessibility for wheelchair and ambulant disabled users, including smooth pathways, access ramps and a specially adapted wc pod.