Client – Brigsteer Village

Brigsteer Village Hall

Ben Cunliffe Architects worked closely with the Helsington & Brigsteer Village Hall Management Committee to assist with a funding application to Big Lottery and other organisations to secure funding for a new village hall. Matched funding was secured privately and Mr Hal Bagot of Levens Hall, kindly donated the land in perpetuity to Brigsteer.

The village hall is situated in a beautiful setting on a wooded hillside, orientated so that solar gains and views are maximised. An extensive overhanging verandah prevents summer overheating. The fully insulated Masonite walls combined with a wood pellet boiler from Cumbria Green Fuels, delivers a cost-effective and environmental heating system. The large south-facing glazed doors and rooflights provide solar gain directly onto a solid block spine wall in the hall creating a Trombe wall. The finished design with an oak dancefloor throughout; entrance canopy; Burlington slate roof and cedar cladding and landscaped garden has created a thoroughly usable space.

This new village hall replaced a rarely used WW2 Nissen Hut donated to the village in the 1950s. The overwhelming response to our building from the Parish is that it has transformed the village. We are proud to have been involved in such a project.