Leisure Complex, Hertfordshire

Set within the grounds of an existing country estate, planning approval has been granted for a private sculpture gallery sunk into the ground to minimise its impact upon the historic landscape. Carefully designed to address issues associated with Green Belt development, the building includes a green roof that will allow the existing landscaping to be reinstated on completion.

The striking gallery space includes a range of natural light sources to best display a broad selection of contemporary and historic sculpture. These comprise top light via strip roof lights that wash down the walls, large glazed openings allowing sunlight to flood into the room and also diffuse light via a large adjacent open air pool linked to the gallery with an underwater glass wall.

The minimalist design uses very few materials that include shuttered concrete, glass and timber to create a dramatic but flexible space for displaying a variety of works of art.