Weald and Downland Gridshell

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Building
Weald and Downland Gridshell
The Gridshell building
Type	Museum
Structural System	Gridshell
Location	London, England
Construction
Completed	2002
Design Team
Architect	Edward Cullinan Architects
Structural engineer	Buro Happold
Services engineer	Buro Happold

The Weald and Downland Gridshell (2002) is a building designed by Buro Happold and Edward Cullinan Architects for the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum: it was a runner-up for the Stirling Prize in 2002. The building is a structural wooden gridshell, constructed of oak sourced from Normandy. Before constructing the Gridshell, members of Buro Happold and the Cullinan practice-built a prototype during their own time on weekends. This was also a self-supporting gridshell, and was used as a temporary entrance canopy on the Pompidou Centre.

[edit] Awards

The project has won the following awards:

RIBA Regional Architecture Award 2002.
Runner-up for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2003.
IStructE David Alsop Commendation 2003.
British Construction Industry Awards 2002. Winner of the Small Project category.
American Institute of Architects, Excellence in Design Award 2003.
Civic Trust Award for outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment.
Sussex Heritage Trust 2003. Winner Commercial and Industrial Category.
Wood Awards 2003. Gold Award Winner.
Wood Awards 2003. Structural Category Winner.
European Wood Facade Contest Award given by the Nordic Timber Council.