Marley’s Western Red Cedar Shingles have been specified internal and external
building material for an award-winning music therapy centre that is helping to
make a real difference to people of all ages.
Created
near Penrith in the Lake District, the Sunbeams Music Centre is a 600m sq.
therapy centre which houses a number of meeting rooms, therapy rooms, a
recording studio and a performance space, as well as administration facilities,
supporting over 1,500 people each month.
One
of the critical objectives for the centre’s design was to ensure it sat
seamlessly within its local environment. This led the design team at
MawsonKerr to the use of natural building materials; the extensive use of
Marley’s Western Red Cedar Shingles has helped achieve this perfectly.
Marley’s Western Red Cedar Shingles delivered a renewable and sustainable
cladding solution for the centre, providing one of the lowest carbon footprints
of any widely used building product. In addition, the colour blend ensures the
centre fits seamlessly into the local environment.
A
primary design theme was the wish to connect the inside of the centre with the
exterior façade, and the use of cedar shingles both internally and externally
brings with it a connected symmetry that accentuates the building’s positioning
within the landscape. In addition, the natural aesthetics of timber add
to the welcoming vibe the building designers wished to create.
The
unique design is the fulfilment of an original vision by the centre’s
architect, Will Mawson co-founder of MawsonKerr Architects. He says: “The
simple concept of running exterior materials internally encountered a number of
technical challenges especially given the sensitive nature of the buildings
use. We worked with Marley and their technical team on the
specification to ensure the enduring natural qualities of the timber shingle
were not lost. We have been able to put the use of Marley's Western Red Cedar Shingles at the heart of the Sunbeams Music Therapy Centre as
a welcoming, natural and wholly appropriate building material solution.”
As
part of the project’s conceptualisation, MawsonKerr, who were crowned Architect
of the Year at the 2017 Structural Timber Awards following the success of the
project, worked with music therapy charity Sunbeams Music Trust to help design
and develop a true community building, which is now enhancing the daily
experience of young and old who find music therapy supportive when confronting
challenging neurological conditions such as childhood Alzheimer’s and dementia
in older people.
“The
Sunbeams Music Centre is the culmination of 13 years work as I first started
working on an original design as part of a university project. Over time the
charity has acquired the funding to establish the new centre, which gives it
the ability to provide badly needed therapeutic services within a natural,
bespoke and welcoming setting.
“Timber
is a warm material and can enhance well-being and generate a sense of
calm. The building has to offer a sense of belonging so that those
visiting for therapy and support feel at home there and the important work
carried out is managed within a peaceful setting. By using the timber to
draw together the interior spaces and exterior look, we have successfully
brought the entire building together as a whole which also helps the centre’s
visitors to orientate themselves and navigate the internal spaces far more
easily.” said Will Mawson.
The
sustainable characteristics of cedar shingles were another major plus point,
helping to underpin the long-term and supportive values of the centre. With a
25-year lifespan, not only does cedar shingle offer hard-wearing performance
within a heavily-used facility, they promise longevity as well. This is
an important factor for the charity where cost effectiveness is a key
consideration.
Furthermore, the
Marley’s Western Red Cedar Shingles, which are Certi-grade accredited
as ‘Blue Label’ by the CSSB (Cedar Shingle and Shake Bureau) were specified as
they guarantee the highest quality shingles and are PEFC accredited.
Furthermore, the shingles specified were also treated with MicroPro, a clear
treatment which not only protects against wood rooting fungi and insect
attacks, but also lets the shingle weather naturally without any staining
sometimes associated with other treatments, and can deliver an extended life
span of 40 years.
Daniel Redfern
Marketing Campaign Manager from Marley said: “Having worked alongside
MawsonKerr from the onset of the project we were able to suggest a suitable
cladding solution which not only complemented the wider surroundings, but which
also helped meet the design vision for the project.
"Meeting
regularly with the architect and contractors involved in the project meant we
were able to offer extended support on some of the key benefits and
considerations associated with Cedar Shingles in order to bring the design
vision to life.”
