A new building to replace the dilapidated structure that had stood on the site since the 1930s. Our brief was to provide low-maintenance facilities for the use of walkers and visitors to the ancient clapper bridge over the River Barle.
The building uses an array of photo-voltaic solar cells on the south roof slope to generate all the electricity required for lighting and ventilation. The demand for artificial light is minimised by means of a glazed lantern roof, that provides daylight through acid-etched glass ceilings over the individual cubicles.
Materials were sourced locally, and include chestnut joinery and shingle roofing from a nearby forest. The resulting design is now utilised by the National Park as an exemplar for sustainable development on Exmoor.
