Stonelynk Organics, East Sussex, UK
A permaculture design, rooted in local material and human resource, round wood columns, wattle and daube.
In collaboration with Round Wood Design SAWA designed StoneLynk Organic’s office and workshop space in Fairlight East Sussex. The project was a fully fledged natural build, complete with all appropriate technologies and alternative building services. SAWA was responsible for the concept and planning drawings for the building, while Round Wood Design created the construction and technical drawings, as well as providing expertise in their stunning roundwood timber frames.
The single storey build sits humbly along the edge of the tree-line, and faces North out onto the organic fields. The build is complete with a small packing hall, mess room, compost loo and appropriate storage solutions for produce and equipment. It is a building designed for regenerative and productive slow food and growing local community food resilience. The materials for the project were sourced as locally as possibly; the Douglas fir structure and larch cladding were primarily sourced from Wales, whilst the willow coppice timber was sourced onsite.
Planning Drawings:
SAWA’s planning drawings for the building were approved however subsequently during the technical design and construction phase the cost limitations caused the building to shrink. However, design of the workshop is such that it could be extended at a later date when funds become available.
SAWA believe that adapatibilty within ecological design is crucial in supporting the propogation of such innovations by working with stakeholders needs and wants.
Permaculture Earth Camp Weekend Workshop:
Over a two day period Stonelynk Organics played host to an immersive earth camp workshop. Visitors learnt about permaculture and natural building techniques, blending theory and practice to offer a holistic experience of community living. Amongst many other skills visitors where able to get hands on experience with the making of adobe bricks and wattle and daub walls, as well as willow coppicing and weaving. Visitors were able to learn not just the construction techniques but the ethical principles behind their application. The daub was mixed using clay taken from the digging of a pond on site, ensuring no material or efforts were wasted and we worked in harmony with nature and its abundance!
A link to the workshop booking can be accessed HERE.
Stonelynk Organics have created a beautiful site rich in healthy produce that they distribute to the local community, through a click and collect service. By not using typical chemical fertilisers, they have developed creative ways of ensuring their crops are of good quality. One development being their ‘chicken tractor’ – a movable chicken coop that allows the chickens to be relocated to different field and spread their nutrient rich droppings across the fields to act as a fertiliser! The workshop will certainly enable and nurture Stonelynk Organics future creativity to continuing their successful agricultural adventure.
SAWA have been thrilled to work with Stonelynk Organics on such a wonderful project.