Studio Bark

As a notable Front Runner to emerge from the #RegenerativeArchitectureIndex, we spoke to Studio Bark about #bioregionalism, material sourcing, and integrating the work of ecologists and arboriculturalists among others into the studio’s practice. "The majority of our projects involve these specialists from the start of Stage 2, allowing us to incorporate their insights as early as possible without risking client costs. Often, we delay certain design work until we have ecologists, arboriculturalists, and other specialists on board so we can collaborate proactively and iteratively." Read the full interview with Studio Bark in the link below! https://lnkd.in/gwWgx9C5 UK Architects Declare #zerocarbon #regenerativedesign #materials #timber

Over the past few weeks, myself and Naomi Wright, have been busy guiding a student team in the construction of an extension to our pioneering kit-home 'Box House'. This was the first prototype U-Build home, originally built in 2017. One of the great things about working at Studio Bark is the opportunity to periodically escape the office and get hands-on with the building process. As a practice founded by University of East London alums, 'construction weeks' have always been a part of our DNA, evolving into a series of 'bark live builds' and more recently our 'no building as usual' initiative. We approach design and construction as two sides of the same coin. U-Build emerged from this ethos, and was conceived with the principles of self-build, circularity and adaptability in mind. This extension was a useful test-case in modifying the existing home and adapting it to the changing needs of an evolving young family. Overall the process was fairly smooth, though there were some challenges. The propriety roof system which was installed on the original house needed to come up, and all of the insulation was thoroughly bonded-down. To avoid putting all of this tapered insulation in the bin and instead reuse it, we needed to painstakingly cut this into small sections, which were coded and carefully stacked to one side. This was not a nice job, and soaked-up a large amount of site time! By contrast, the U-Build frame went from being a stack of plywood on a palette in a factory, to a fully assembled building shell on site in 5 days. Perhaps more of our profession could benefit from periodically escaping the computer, and turning our hands to the task of trying to build. Above all, I feel there is value in carving out spaces and opportunities for the next generation to encounter the physical realities of construction. Thanks to our student team Blazej, Hanan, Kacper, Lennart, Lina and Ritesh for their energy and engagement with the process! And thanks to Alan Chandler and Amor Gutierrez at UEL for inviting us back for Construction Week 2024. And of course to all Studio Bark and the U-Build crew Nick Newman, Oliver Berry and Morgan Trowland.

As the built environment faces an escalating imperative to transition, straw buildings present a compelling option for natural, bio-based building, writes Thomas Bennett from Studio Bark in a comment piece for BE News.

Never have I experienced such a cared for public space. The sense of kinship is palpable from East Quay Arts Centre and the town of Watchet itself - there is a genuine warmth and shared humanity. Upon participating in the Festival of Community MaKINg this weekend, I was able to witness the emotional infrastructure East Quay Watchet and the Onion Collective have created with the people of Watchet. You can't help but want to pitch in. From someone casually jumping behind the café counter to help with washing up, to others taking the time to tidy up after events—it’s clear that this space is more than just the building itself. As I sat amongst the audience on Saturday evening, listening to how the building came to be, the man next to me began to cry—brimming with pride for the Onion Collective who made this happen. Projects like this are often unimaginable, and their realisation is an outlier. But visiting East Quay reminds you that it *is* possible (with a great deal of determination). This is what architecture needs to do. It cannot alone solve the problems of the world, but if developed compassionately with communities, it has the potential to multiply our circles of care. In the words of Becca Thomas from New Practice, I am coming home from this weekend with a very full brain. I could go on and on about East Quay, but really you need to visit yourself. #CommunityArchitecture #FestivalOfCommunityMaking #EastQuay #Kinship #RegenerativeDesign #OnionCollective McCloy + Muchemwa Bongani Elton Muchemwa Steve McCloy

Meet tonight's speakers for our StuCAN 24-25 Launch! 🗣 Join us to hear a fantastic range of speakers, including Thomas Bennett from Studio Bark, alongside students from three student climate action groups: MACK CAN, BESCA AND ESALA! We'll be sharing our hopeful vision for the future of student action, how to be an activist, and what it's like to get involved in StuCAN! See you there! 📅 Date: TONIGHT - Thursday 17 October @ 18:30 BST 📍 Location: Online - book your place via Eventrbrite - link in comment

How might we close the gap between communities and architecture? This important question is at the heart of this year's Festival of Community Making at East Quay Watchet - a celebration of community-led architecture. Happening THIS weekend, I’m really excited to be part of this alongside inspiring practices like Invisible Studio, PEARCE+, McCloy + Muchemwa , and New Practice. 📅 October 18-19 📍 East Quay, Watchet Studio Bark will be involved with a series of events and workshops across the weekend: 🗨 A Guide to Community Architecture: A Panel Discussion ⏰ 18.10.24 - 7pm A participatory panel conversation about how we can break down barriers between the architecture profession and the communities they serve. 🦋 Community Making Workshops ⏰ 19.10.24 - 11am-3pm Studio Bark will be leading the Minibeast Mansion workshop, where children will design ‘apartments’ from the perspective of different invertebrates. These apartments will be assembled and interlocked into a small U-Build structure, left behind as a permanent shelter and habitat—a fun, hands-on exploration of co-housing for beings beyond just humans! (Drop-in session) 🏡 Ask the Expert: Architecture Speed Dating ⏰ 19.10.24 - 4pm-5pm An opportunity to ask the Studio Bark and other architects, anything you want to know about your own build, project or ideas. You’ll have 10 minutes dedicated time to your project within the session. (Booking required) Looking forward to thoughtful and empowering conversations! More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eUam79-j