Pup Architects designed and built a temporary outdoor stage for Charleston, the colourful former home of the Bloomsbury group and now museum, to host a summer season of events and talks.
The design is inspired by the big roofs of the surrounding barns, which are a strong part of the Sussex vernacular. The structure is imagined as half of a barn roof opening up to the audience, whilst the colours of the roof are inspired by the painted interiors of Charleston house itself. Like the house, the stage reflects a sense of exuberance and vibrancy, intended to welcome people back from the winter's lock-down.
The stage stands out against the landscape and the natural palette of stone, flint, clay of the existing buildings yet retains a strong connection to the place through materials (timber and chalk paint) and colours inside the house.
The positioning and location of the stage were carefully chosen to allow it to sit comfortably in context, creating new views of the house. When viewed from a distance, it acts as a colourful billboard, advertising its presence and activity on-site.
Performers writers and artists on-stage included Selena Godden, Anthea Hamilton, Sebastian Faulks, Shirley Collins, Jeremy Deller, John Cooper Clarke, Stewart Lee, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Helena Bonham-Carter and many more.
Selected press:
Wallpaper* - Colourful outdoor stage appears in Charleston countryside
Client
Date
2021
Location
Firle, East Sussex
Charleston Outdoor Stage
"The brief was for a functional yet bold and beautiful design that reflected the Barnyard's history as a utilitarian and functional space. We did not want the design to slip into replica or pastiche of the house interior, but something that reimagined Charleston for a contemporary audience: an innovative design that reflects the bold & playful spirit of the programme. Pup delivered this on all fronts and have provided a beautiful and original home for our summertime events. Everything about the process was a complete pleasure."
- Melissa Perkins, Head of Programme & Events, The Charleston Trust.
The materials used in temporary projects can quickly become waste once their use is over. This was addressed by using only sustainably sourced solid timber construction with bolted connections, an inherently low-embodied carbon approach. The whole structure may be de-constructed, re-constructed, composted or re-used as timber..
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