Material

[In-site materials]

Stone/Pebbles fence/wall

Stones are found all over the farm, and when stacked together, they form simple but solid and functional partitions. The unique texture of these walls is also representative of the local rustic culture and would be ideal as a building material in a region where the stone is produced.

Earth

Again, the earth is still a good building material as it is a ubiquitous element on the site. The rammed earth walls made from pressed clay and soil have an excellent thermal performance. However, they play a more critical role in regulating air humidity, depending on the local conditions in Buxton and the needs of the project.

MATERIAL

[Local materials]

Hoffman Quarry (out of service) Tunstead Quarry

Lime stone

Limestone, a traditional British building material, is also representative of British architecture in its style and tone. It has excellent weather resistance and also has excellent decorative properties.

The main tree species in the Buxton area are beech, ash, elm, and sycamore. The beech is strong enough to be used as a building timber, while the elm and sycamore have good resistance to decay and can be used as the furniture timber.

Cowdale Quarry Timber

Beech Ash Elm Sycamore

MATERIAL | PRECEDENTS

The Therme Vals / Peter Zumthor

B u i l t o v e r t h e o n l y t h e r m a l s p r i n g s i n t h e Graubunden Canton in Switzerland, The Therme Vals is a hotel and spa in one which combines a complete sensory experience designed by Peter Zumthor. The Therme Vals is built from layer upon layer of locally quarried Valser Quarzite slabs.

As a place that also produces building stone, Buxton is able to use locally produced limestone in the construction of its façades and so on. This material is used t o s h o w r e s p e c t f o r t h e l o c a l architectural environment and is also seen as part of Buxton's architectural identity.

Valletta City Gate / Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre, Edward Cullinan

Formby Pool, Feilden Clegg Bradley

In addition to limestone, the use of local stone walls and timber in the construction of this project is based on the construction and use of The Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre and Formby Pool. The timber beams in the building were inspired by Formby Pool.