The Artist Studios
As a team we are involved with several charities, providing financial support and offering our time and skill in certain circumstances. SPUD is a local charity that supports and encourages artists and young people interested in pursuing a career in art and architecture. Faced with the challenge of how to expand and provide artist studios on their site in Hampshire, they turned to SPUD charity trustees and PAD studio team members, Wendy and Collette.
Project Info
- Location: spudWORKS, Sway, Hampshire
- Cost: £89,500
- Designation: National Park
- Collaborators: spudWORKS
Awards
2020 Civic Trust Award, Regional Finalist
2020 RIBA MacEwen Award, Longlisted
2020 RICS Social Impact Award, Shortlisted
Project Funded by Arts Council England
To hire gallery space, creative desk space, a graduate launch pad space or one of PAD studios new artist studios visit: spudWORKS.
PAD studio has delivered several arts and leisure facilities such as:
Environmental Data
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Energy Efficiency
1 2
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Insulation
1 2 3
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Thermal Mass
1
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Airtightness
1 2
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Embodied Carbon
1 2 3
- Heating/Hot Water
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Solar Thermal
Yes No
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Rain Water Harvest
Yes No
- Ventilation
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Energy Storage
Yes No
With a challenging budget, limited build time and faced with the site constraints of not being able to dig under a series of large oak and sycamore trees, we designed a simple structure clad in timber and corrugated sheeting. Jackpad style pad footings sit directly on the earth and avoid the need for dug foundations. Acrylic panels allow light to flood each studio without the expense and added complexities of using glass.
Each of the five studios provides the artist with 14sqm of space and a communal terrace where the artists can gather to exchange ideas or work outside when the weather permits. The monopitch roof offers a feeling of spaciousness and drama internally and is canted to allow as much daylight as possible into the studio space.
The residency opportunity here, manages to provide both a quiet retreat and a creative hub. The accommodation is of simple, contemporary design; cosy and homely, but, delightfully, is also without the clutter of my usual life …. During the day, there is the hum of other creatives working in the building and using the studios outside... A key element to a residency for me, is about embedding into a place, which is accelerated when staying.
. . . Clare Baskerville, resident artist . . .
Our design of the award-winning The Exbury Egg (commissioned by SPUD) as an artist’s residency space inspired SPUD to develop a residency programme at their base spudWORKS, in the New Forest National Park. We designed a larger studio that sits amongst the cluster of day studios, which is used as a live-work space. It contains a small kitchenette, a fold-up bed and plenty of space to be creative. It is simple, uncluttered and similar to the Exbury Egg contains only the essentials that are needed to live and work. A unique arts programme of funded and self-funded residencies offers extended stays for those who wish to immerse themselves, grow and diversify their artwork amongst a supportive community of like-minded people.
We were delighted that the Arts Council not only helped to fund the build but came to open the building in 2019. The opening event was a celebration of the art, architecture and design and demonstrates how these disciplines have the ability to bring together and empower the local community.
spudWORKS offers high quality work-spaces for creative industries in a pleasant rural environment with easy parking and good rail links. In addition to the artist studios above spudWORKS offers art gallery, event, workshop, office and desk spaces for hire. You can also rent the award-winning Observatory's as short term artist studios located on the site at Sway, Hampshire. SPUD hosts several public events throughout the year so pay them a visit.
We work collaboratively and every member of the studio is a talented designer supported by the wider team. We are proud to be a female-led studio and we celebrate this, embracing diversity in all its manifestations. We are tenacious and driven, working hard for you and with you. We strive to meet the specific and individual needs of every client ensuring a memorable, personal, and professional experience.
