Weald and Downland Gridshell

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.

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.

External links

• Buro Happold Engineers
• Edward Cullinan Architects.
• Architecture Week article
• Weald and Downland Website