Bronwen’s Sanctuary
by Studio Propolis Ltd
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Project details
Year
2024
Project year
2023
Building area
28 m²
Project website
Location
Team credits
multidisciplinary design-team
- Studio Propolis Ltd -
Naeem Biviji,
Bethan Rayner.
contributing partners
Griffinwood ltd,
Lakeside Primary school.
commissioned by
Bronwen's wish
Bronwen’s Sanctuary, located in a lush corner of Lakeside Primary School in Cardiff, Wales, is designed as a meditative space for mental health activities, offering a respite from the bustling school environment. This small yet flexible facility accommodates one-on-one sessions and group activities, featuring a sheltered entrance and a curved drystone wall that creates a suntrap, perfect for outdoor classrooms. To the north, an intimate bay window provides stunning views of the hills beyond Cardiff.
A critical design decision was the placement of the entrance, fostering separation from the main school. As the winding path turns, it opens to a secluded amphitheatre-like seating area, removed from the noisy playground. Sheltered under a prominent south-facing window, the entrance leads into a space that feels inviting and special.
In contrast to the rigid, prefabricated concrete structure of the school, the sanctuary serves as a beacon of warmth and comfort – naturally lit, tactile and organic. The high window offers views of the clouds and treetops, while the bay window extends towards the scenic hills.
Reflecting the charity’s aspirations, Bronwen’s Sanctuary was built using locally sourced materials with strong provenance, prioritizing local resources and supporting small-scale suppliers. Tactile cypress columns invite touch, and the aromatic cedar floor, along with breathable hemp-lime plastered walls, creates a warm, sensory environment. The design relies on ample daylight for visual and solar gain, streaming through a south-facing sawtooth window. A tall sycamore tree provides shade in summer while allowing winter sunlight to flood the pod.
Hand-split external shakes and entrance poles sourced from the framer’s hedgerow complement stones excavated on-site for the low wall, with all furniture crafted from site offcuts to minimize waste. The raw timber will age naturally, and the hemp-plastered walls remain unpainted. Elevated on stilts among existing trees, the sanctuary connects gardens to healing and marks a significant point along a winding journey from the school. Future plans include planting seasonal wildflowers and aromatic herbs to create a sensory garden.
This project marks the first of a planned network of wellbeing spaces across the city. A second site has already been identified and is currently in the design phase as the charity raises funds for construction.
Studio Propolis, founded in 2005 by Naeem Biviji and his partner Bethan Rayner in Kenya, expanded to the North-West of England in 2020. Their practice is centred on a wood and metalworking workshop, which forms the core of their design philosophy. With a deep understanding of materials and fabrication, they emphasize curiosity and experimentation in their work, favouring local, sustainable materials to create exceptionally crafted, tactile pieces and spaces.
Combining formal architectural education with informal training as furniture makers, Studio Propolis is passionate about the craft of making. Their strength lies in seamlessly oscillating between design and production, allowing for continual testing of ideas through prototyping and fabrication. The relationship between locally available materials and their own craft culture significantly influences their design approach.
The current project is a collaboration between Studio Propolis, Griffinwood Ltd – a timber framing specialist established by Scott Coles that fabricates and handcrafts timber buildings and gardens – and Bronwen’s Wish, a British charity dedicated to promoting better mental health for children and young people by providing schools with wellbeing spaces.
The prize money will fund a second Wellbeing Pod at Rhydypenau Primary School in Cardiff, supporting Bronwen’s Wish and the design and building team in promoting a quiet, secure environment that integrates emotional wellbeing into education. On a larger scale, this initiative serves as a form of urban acupuncture, with the goal of creating a network of spaces that raises awareness and visibility for mental health issues within the broader community. The project will utilize a similar material palette as the first Pod, ensuring impeccable sourcing and high environmental and aesthetic quality. The team is also exploring ways to enhance detailing, optimize cutting lists and adapt their previous designs to fit the new location.
- Information for the project text was provided by Studio Propolis Ltd -
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Advisory Committee Statement
‘Bronwen’s Sanctuary’ receives the award for Social Engagement for its sensitive approach to supporting children’s mental health through architecture. It offers a serene, tactile environment using locally sourced materials, creating a safe space for one-on-one and group activities for education on emotional wellbeing. Its distinctive materiality creates a unique atmosphere, and the sense of a place for care. Its rustic aspect takes you back to nature, puts you back to the here and now, akin to a children’s treehouse. Praised for its sensory appeal, rustic charm and meticulous attention to detail, it addresses growing challenges in youth mental health and sets a new standard for school-based initiatives.