Spotted: The Architect who is turning back the clock to build for the future
Steven Johnson, Architect. Photo credit: ©Stonehouse Photographic
Last month, we were thrilled to welcome presenter, Matt Baker and his production team to Flimwell Park to film part of their ‘High Weald’ episode for BBC’s Countryfile.
Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the border of East Sussex and Kent, Flimwell Park is part of the picturesque High Weald which spans Sussex, Kent and Hampshire. The High Weald is a medieval landscape of wooded, rolling hills studded with sandstone outcrops; small, irregular-shaped fields; scattered farmsteads; and ancient routeways.
Flimwell Park is a collaboration between architect Steven Johnson and Regalmain Ltd, owned by the O’Callaghan family, whose combined vision to create a blueprint in a sustainable mixed-use woodland development has become a reality after a decade of consultation, planning and construction. Along with a core team of foresters, ecologists, permaculturists, the site that was once a disused bird park, has been transformed into an inspiring new model for a sustainable community woodland that blends living, working, recreation and learning.
Matt Baker spoke to architect Steve Johnson about the use of timber, iron and clay in the High Weald area of the South East, and explored the use of wood and clay at the 46-acre development that is now reaching its final stages of completion. Steven highlighted the importance of creating homes and buildings fit for the future, especially in such rural areas. Steve has taken the modern structure and design you see in cities and has introduced it to Flimwell, to help encourage and revive the economy in the area.
“We’re standing right on the edge of an interface between the built and unbuilt world.”
Also featuring in the programme was Zankhana Patel, founder of The Potters Studio that is located here at Flimwell Park. Zankhana used some of the natural clay found in the ancient woodlands, to create her own pottery.
Inspiring the next generation of architects and designers…
Flimwell Park has partnered with The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, where the students have been using Flimwell Park as site of interest in their studies. The Architecture and The Design for Manufacture students have designed and built a prototype anagama kiln built in the woods which was fired-up for the first time whilst filming for the programme. The Bartlett’s Technical Director, Peter Scully, has created the programme to encourage students to think within the realm of the material and to be as sustainable as possible.
Anagama Kiln, produced by The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Photo credit: ©Stonehouse Photographic
Director Regalmain Ltd, Chris O’Callaghan commented: “The episode has been a great platform to showcase how architectural and woodland development can exist in a continuous, integrated and mutually beneficial relationship.
“Flimwell Park is about creating opportunities for woodland enterprise, recreation, diverse woodland conservation and education whilst harmonising all of this with nature.”
Architect Steven Johnson said: “Transforming a former brownfield section of the site in an AONB into a central, mixed-use living and working community space, has been a wonderful opportunity. Environmental, social and economic sustainability has been at the heart of the construction from start to finish. We have been delighted with the success of Flimwell Park and Countryfile has helped to shine a light on the future of sustainable developments in the UK.”
Other businesses based at Flimwell Park include Birchwood, Wild Iris Spa, Sugar and Shutter Photography, cyber security company Lepide, co-working space The Hive, Swole Panda, Quench Cycles and Weald at Heart Forest School.
If you’re looking to catch up, you can watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer here.
