Building Crafts Apprentices, Youth Shelter building project

This building project formed the second part of The 2008 Prince of Wales's Summer School, where 20 crafts apprentices and graduate fellows designed an open shelter to improve the youth facilities in Poundbury, the urban extension to Dorchester in development by the Duchy of Cornwall. The circular ‘Look-Out’, sited close to the cricket pitch and medical centre, is a place for young people to congregate on their own but within close proximity to other daily activity in Poundbury. The building is designed to last and look beautiful, located within a green corridor that sweeps through the Masterplan created by Leon Krier for the Prince of Wales. The building of the shelter gave the apprentices, largely made up of stone masons and carpenters, the opportunity to gain invaluable practical experience from working closely with a master stone mason, Henry Rumbold and master carpenter, Steven Finney. The Duchy of Cornwall fully supported the project, which was directed by Ben Bolgar, head of Design Theory & Networks and Noel Isherwood, the Poundbury representative.

Project Blog

Monday 22nd September 2008
DAY 1

We arrive at 8.00am at the new site port-o-cabins without a key to get in. We have a willing workforce of crafts apprentices raring to go...  [ READ ON ]

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
DAY 2

All the dressed Portland stone is delivered around 9.00am for the five pillar bases and one has to be sent one back for adjustment... [ READ ON ]

Wednesday 24th September 2008
DAY 3

A serious stone moving day! The large heavy stones were moved into position by the stonemason craft apprentices... [ READ ON ]

Thursday 25th September 2008
DAY 4

I [Noel] am still at the Casterbridge at 9.30am where I have been conducting some early morning architectural research... [ READ ON ]

Friday 26th September 2008
DAY 5

Well, at least someone’s reading this diary. I’ve been asked to explain the ‘Oculus’... [ READ ON ]

Monday 29th September 2008
DAY 6

Progress has been continuing today on site with the dry-stone walling. The stonemason has proposed an alteration ... [ READ ON ]

Tuesday 30th September 2008
DAY 7

Today saw the ordering of a couple of stainless steel straps designed by the engineer to wrap around the two oak ring beams in the roof (the oculus again!). ... [ READ ON ]

Wednesday 1st October 2008
DAY 8

We are dealing with comments provided by Poundbury masterplanner, Léon Krier. His suggestions about the details are imbued with the same natural wisdom... [ READ ON ]

Thursday 2nd October 2008
DAY 9

We have received designs from the Mosaic Artist Javier Romano. These can be seen in the attached two images. Thanks for the various comments... [ READ ON ]

Friday 3rd October 2008
DAY 10

After another morning with the Fife planners, I get to site to see that the scaffolding is being erected to new heights... [ READ ON ]

Monday 6th & Tuesday 7th October
DAYS 11&12

A complete write off! Rain totally stopped play. By lunch time not even a glimmer of blue sky gave promise of better weather ahead... [ READ ON ]

Wednesday 8th October
DAY 13

Euphoria!! The sky is Australian blue. (That one’s for Joey!) Stephen Finney is giving a prep talk on lifting and handling the wood... [ READ ON ]

Thursday 9th October
DAY 14

Phew, thank goodness that day is over! I have to admit... [ READ ON ]

Friday 10th October
DAY 15

Despite all the structural manoeuvring of the day before, in the morning light, nothing can detract from... [ READ ON ]

November

After a false start on the cedar shingles, the craftsmen, architect and contractors between them have now managed to come up with a system that looks good both from the outside and the inside...[ READ ON ]