Coniston Cricket Pavillion

Coniston Cricket Club are looking to replace their existing decrepit changing rooms with an exemplar building that responds to, and makes use of its beautiful surroundings. The proposals should also include thoughts about a second use for the structure, outside of the cricket season. However, the project is much more than this - the community led development is looking not only to integrate some of the other uses on the site (the bowling club, the tennis club), but also to use the design process as a means of demonstrate the benefits of contemporary design.

Our design for the club house is highly functional and contemporary, while at the same time looking towards traditional forms of construction. The design of the pavilion has been driven first and foremost by the requirements of a cricket club. We propose to move the pavilion further up the ground so it overlooks the green, so that it makes best use of the sun path, and so that on arrival one sees the pavilion nestling under the dominant Coniston Fells.

We also propose that it could be assembled by anyone who can hold a power drill, to involve the community in its construction. Timber foundations, timber frame, straw bail insulation, pre-cut timber sheets and slats could all be used to good effect. We also propose a wildflower roof sourced from the surrounding fields, and could also capture water and funnel it in to the 5,000 litre water butts that sit at the rear of the building next to a PV array, and garage for lawnmowers, rollers, boundary flags and so on.

When not in use the pavilion goes in to hibernation - sliding screens and folding panels lock the structure down to protect the building. When in use the screens slide apart to reveal a social space with uninterrupted views of the green, from the changing rooms and central social space.

For a second use, we are proposing that the changing rooms can transform into a dormitory that could sleep around 11 people each. The list of potential uses could be endless - winter climbers, yoga retreats, school outings, birthday parties, meetings, presentations, talks, friends and family on holiday, cookery retreats, Scout trips, camping barns, etc.