The iconic Strawberry Field site in Woolton Liverpool, immortalised by John Lennon in the Beatles hit “Strawberry Field Forever”, had been gifted to The Salvation Army but the site had lain derelict for the last 15 years.
Embracing the challenge of the terrain that this world-renowned site presented, Hoskins Architects, in partnership with Robertson Construction North West, designed the building to maximise the views and the physical connections to the mature “park” setting. The 1350m2, two-storey building has been set into the site’s embankment and has been clad in natural timber and brick to blend in with the wooded areas in the surrounding landscape. Floor to ceiling vertical glazing further connects the centre’s visitors to nature, providing pleasant views out towards the garden.
Fundamental to the design of the centre were two requirements: to create a bright, natural ambience throughout this flat-roofed building and to ensure that the internal spaces remained well-ventilated for both visitors and trainees.
Forty two VELUX Longlights have been installed as part of an innovative lighting and ventilation strategy The VELUX Modular Skylight system was agreed by the client, architect and main contractor as being the most suitable product to meet the centre’s lighting and ventilation specification.