Flimwell Park: A new era of sustainable communities
From the planning stages back in 2010, right through to the interior fit out this year, environmental, social and economic sustainability has always been at the heart of Flimwell Park.
Looking at the Workshops from the Focal building
Planning, design, construction and education
Architect Steven Johnson of The Architecture Ensemble pioneered the way on the vision and concept. Along with a core team of foresters, ecologists, permaculturists to re-purpose the land, the site over the past 10 years has been transformed from a disused bird park, into an inspiring new model for a sustainable woodland community.
Steve is also a lecturer at the University College of London (UCL), where he teaches at the Bartlett School of Architecture. Steve, along with students, is using Flimwell Park for educational and research purposes. Currently they are in the process of installing an anagama kiln (an ancient pottery kiln first created in Japan in the 5th Century) in the woodland, which will be the first of many projects undertaken by them.
All timber used in the construction has been sustainably sourced, with weathering steel used for the window bay cladding. Onsite power is generated from 300 photo-voltaic cells located on building roofs, cladding and canopies with a grid of solar thermal units heating water for the site directly from the sun.
The car park has a SUDS system made from local stone, geo-textile filtering layers, with recycled plastic open-grid surfacing making up the Truck Pav system.
Recycled milk bottles and wood fibre make up the decking used on an elevated woodland walkway linking the eight stilted workplace buildings and rubber tiles made out of recycled tyres have been laid over the accessible roof terraces. There has been no ‘muck away’ from the site whatsoever, with all the excavated materials recycled and reused.
Mycena galericulata fungi - shot on site at Flimwell Park
Sustainable living
The workspaces at Flimwell Park are occupied by several local businesses. It was important to Regalmain Ltd that the partners in the workspaces shared the same values and ethos when it came to sustainability. We’re all about championing sustainable living and that’s why Swole Panda, a sustainable clothing and accessories brand, known for its bamboo accessories, has its HQ on site.
You can also find Wild Iris, a luxury woodland spa offering a range of holistic and natural therapies and the recently open Birchwood, headed up by Will Devlin, a Green Michelin star chef. Will only sources local produce with the restaurant guided by the landscape and self-sufficiency, focusing on flavour found in the natural world.
The eight timber two-storey workspaces built on stilts, a 900 sqm focal building as well as the restaurant space have been constructed to allow ample natural light as well as excellent viewing of the woodland.
Ten earth-banked lodges are also available as holiday lets via booking.com. These will evolve to student accommodation next spring.
Flimwell Park is also in the process of building three highly ecologically advanced private homes. Each house will come with solar panels, use of renewable energy systems, rainwater harvesting and air source heat pumps with underfloor heating throughout.
Tesla supercharger station
Flimwell Park hosts a Tesla supercharger station, with six charging points, along with two more charging points available for other electric car brands.
Forest school & nature
What makes Flimwell Park so extraordinary is that it is situated in the heart of 46 acres of ancient woodland.
Flimwell Park is closely working with the Sussex Lund and the Species Recovery Trust to ensure that extensive conservation work is being carried out to improve and protect the habitats of native species, all whilst allowing the public to enjoy the woodland too. Native species includes the protection of one of the rarest wild flowers in the UK, the Heath Lobelia, that was discovered growing on site a couple of years ago.
Now available to book onsite is the Weald at Heart Forest school who host ‘Stay and Play’ sessions that have been designed to create the opportunity for you and your child to explore and play in the woods. Following the Forest School approach, you will be led by your child's interests. Take part in songs, games, woodland crafts and nature inspired activities.
Flimwell Park has created an inspiring woodland community that blends living, food, working, recreation, art and learning with nature to create happier and healthier lives.
To find out how you can be part of the Flimwell Park community, please click here.
