The environmental, financial and build-time benefits of timber frame construction have contributed to its soaring popularity. Neither does this option require any compromise in design options or build quality. Recent inspirational examples of timber projects include the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth and the Tower of Love in Blackpool, and meriting a position within this acclaimed line-up is the recently unveiled Sky Den at Kielder Park.
In 1984 Kielder Water and Forest Park was the second centre to open in the Calvert group and now attracts 5,000 visitors per year. The Trust was founded by John Fryer-Spedding in 1978 and was inspired by a vision to enable people with disabilities to benefit from outdoor activities in the countryside. Having received the prestigious Best Tourist Experience Award in England for 2013, Kielder was an obvious home for George Clarke’s latest creation.
Now in its second series, George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces showcases creative design solutions, focusing on small builds such as camper vans, beach huts and a double decker bus. Often pursuing long held pipe dreams on a shoestring budget the series also follows the progress of George’s own creation in conjunction with Designer, William Hardie.
Tantalisingly revealed over each episode of the series, the design of George’s 
treehouse is based on a simple concept of three shapes; a cylinder, triangle and square. Through the creation of multifunctional furniture and an innovative optimisation of space, the units are transformed into inspirational living spaces melding comfortably with the stunning surroundings of the forest.
Having an obvious synergy with the environmental credentials of the project, the Sky Den designers specified a thermo-reflective breather with a highly reflective surface to maximise energy efficiency. Having received a request to supply their Thermaperm membrane for the project in support of the Calvert Trust, Yorkshire-based Industrial Textiles and Plastics (ITP) was delighted to get involved.
Commenting on their involvement in the project, Marc van der Voort, Managing Director at ITP said: “With a range of product options on the market, we were delighted to have been selected for this project. Our Thermaperm breather membrane has multi-purpose functionality and offers breather, thermo-reflective and air barrier properties. As well as being water repellent, this controls the ventilation in the installation allowing moisture to escape while optimising energy efficiency”
Speaking about the Sky Den, George said: “We’ve never designed anything like it before. Its part tree house, part art installation and can offer a unique experience on a unique site”
The big reveal in the final episode of the series disclosed the finished tree house resplendent in its woodland setting. Available for the general public to book, visitors are sure to enjoy the wonders of Kielder in this most distinctive of settings.
