a woodland centre

The Langley Vale Canopy Hub aims to commemorate the great sacrifice and collective effort of 90,00 women who volunteered in the Red Cross during the Great War. The local town, Epsom, was a particular centre of activity where women sewed trench slippers.

The hub’s cladding is built to acknowledge of the 90,000 women. Emerging from the ground is a continuous Corten steel wall, wrapping around the building to the other side. The steel is punctured with small rectangles, each representing one woman. Toward the apex, the punctures intensify and become vertical steel fins that support the canopy. These steel fins are the ultimate representation of the women volunteers, and each carry a name etched into the steel at their base.

On a practical level, the building faces south to capture natural sunlight throughout. All private and public spaces have spectacular views over the woodlands. Toilets are designed with external access, so when un-staffed, facilities can remain open 24/7. The storage and maintenance equipment can be accessed both internally and externally for larger equipment. The kitchen opens onto the main space to provide a public front for events and
cafe use.

The hub is designed to serve the public but also – and importantly – as a place of learning. For events, a great hall can be opened to extend beneath the tree canopies in a terrace. This proposal is designed to combine leisure, learning and history.