Charity Farm//pottery
Swanwick, Derbyshire
Year 2, Project 4 (6 weeks)
This is a live project sited at the Turner Farm Project on the outskirts of Swanwick, Derbyshire and comprises of a listed stone farmhouse and barn, brick and stone outbuildings, and a modern livestock shed, all situated on 48 acres of land. The Farm has been a trust since 1740 but in recent years, went into serious decline and in 2009 it was merged with a charity called Valley CIDS.
Valley CIDS is a Christian charity based in Swanwick. It provides young people and families of troubled backgrounds the chance to gain the drive, confidence and skill to overcome problems at home. ‘Reduce their risk of getting involved in alcohol/drug misuse, crime & anti-social behavior and promote their economic well-being.’
The pottery intervention at the farm helps this and provides opportunities for groups of 15 young people at a time. The tactile nature of clay encourages you to use your hands and create something beautiful. It is inclusive and fun. Squeezing clay through your hands is primal and earthy; it is visceral and instinctive and is a good stimulus for healthy wellbeing.
The project has minimal impact on the listed buildings, but the cluster of outbuildings and livestock shed have been removed. You approach through a new link between the barn and farmhouse. Rooflines mimic the existing. Glass gables bring your focus to the building on the other side of the courtyard, which houses the Japanese climbing kiln. You begin the journey in a clockwise direction through each building and process of making a thrown, glazed and fired vase. "Raising Aspirations, Releasing Potential" this is the ethos of the charity and it is reflected in the new additions. Long open-plan wooden barn structures house the separate throwing, firing and glazing rooms. And provide and light and warm atmosphere appropriate to the creating or clay artefacts. Through placement of openings, views are revealed to the wooded area to the north and the wide meadows to the south and provide the opportunity for reflection and contemplation. At the end of the process (after 2 to 3 visits) vases can be displayed and there is a sense of accomplishment.
From research of precedents, the project has gained a lot of Japanese influence. Although the charity is Christian, the idea of spirituality sits well with the bucolic aspect of the surroundings. It is a good place for young people to clear their heads. The central courtyard is the Zen; sparsely landscaped and a tree is the main feature.
The materiality of the proposed structure will be warm and comforting. The exterior walls are horizontally oak clad on an oak frame. Louvers on the south elevation are made of oak also. Internally, the frame is visible and in between is insulated and has a white paint finish. The roof mimics the existing buildings and uses slate tiles.
