Designed by David Grindley Architects, the new studio in Milton Keynes is a linear, single storey open plan space, which has been articulated into four distinct zones with North facing, clearstory windows bringing natural light into the space.
In rebuilding and extending the Architects studio, the opportunity was taken to place emphasis on the use of sustainable materials and prefabrication.
The principal construction material is a solid cross-laminated timber panel system. The panels were craned into position and screwed together to form the total structure and enclosure. The interior is left unfinished and treated with a white wax. The exterior is insulated and waterproofed using a continuous breathable rubber membrane. This is overlaid with vertical rain-screen cladding of untreated larch slats to the roof and walls. The gables are finished in pre-weathered zinc.
The design attempts to reconcile the linear nature of the building with the vertical aspects of the tree-surrounded site, whilst expressing the use of materials by articulating and layering the design elements.
