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James Gorst Architects (JGA) has completed a new temple complex in the village of Rake, Hampshire, within the South Downs National Park. The practice was selected following a two-stage design competition in early 2017 with a brief to replace the existing dilapidated 1970s complex.

The new building comprises a temple, library, chapels, meeting spaces, a public foyer and catering kitchen within newly landscaped grounds. The rationalised plan is organised as a series of orthogonal pavilions connected by a cloistered walkway, facing onto a central courtyard garden. The internal arrangement follows a progression from secular to ritual spaces, moving from a timber portico and social foyer at the visitor entrance in the east, through to the main temple space in the west.

With a brief to create a building characterised by peace and simplicity, the JGA team developed a restrained palette of timber, brick and chalk lime mortar typical of the Hampshire context. The resulting spaces allow for quiet contemplation and encourage a spiritual connection to the surrounding landscape.

The building demonstrates an exemplar approach to passive design and long-term sustainability. JGA adopted a ‘fabric-first’ approach to the build, with the main structural frame entirely constructed off-site from glue laminated timber, engineered to eliminate the need for any steelwork. Underfloor heating is provided by a ground source heat pump that is buried in the landscape, with additional power provided by photovoltaic panels. The inner temple’s pre-cast pendentive arches provide thermal mass. A raised floor slab naturally cools the internal spaces with fresh air supplied by an underground labyrinth ventilation system, while high level actuators in the temple clerestory allow warm air to escape.

“Our aim was to create balance between the landscape, building and interiors, to form one coherent and harmonious design, exploring the relationship of the architecture to the spiritual context,” said JGA Associate Steve Wilkinson.

Collaborating with landscape architects McWilliam Studio, Wilkinson and the team undertook a wider reorganisation of the site, providing a series of gardens connected along pedestrian pathways, to allow for moments of contemplation and connection to the surrounding valleys. At the entrance to the building, two reflection pools animate the east façade and offer a moment of pause and meditation, while the central courtyard is sized to mirror the internal footprint of the temple.

David Roy, Director of James Gorst Architects, said: “Our design for this temple complex is the result of a very detailed journey of collaboration with our client. The process of listening and responding to their unique requirements over an extended period of time allowed us to create a building that is closely tailored to their needs, and which expresses our ethos of sensitivity, proportion, and purpose.”

Project Information

Architect: James Gorst Architects

Contractor: Beard Construction

Timber Frame: Pacegrade

Structural Engineers: Eckersley O’Callaghan

Landscape Architects: McWilliam Studio

Service Engineers: Skelly & Couch

Project Manager / QS: Jackson Coles

Acoustic Consultants: Theatre Projects

Planning Consultants: Dowsett Mayhew