Revival of a lost walled garden at the Museum in the Park

The pavilion was conceived as a discovered artefact, patinated and worn yet also sparkling like hidden treasure, and formed the first phase of building works.

Fully glazed to the south, and with a window seat to the west, the building opens its wide sliding doors onto a limestone terrace and the gardens beyond, offering a large daylit room suitable for a wide range of purposes. Copper cladding was chosen for its durability and patina while also being a recycled and recyclable material.

“Leading a capital project was new territory for the Museum in the Park team, but Austin Design Works have certainly been the right appointment for us. They have guided, advised and delivered on everything we specified.”

Kevin Ward, Museum Development Manager, Museum in the Park, Stroud

The garden is a living exhibit, connected to the museum both physically and functionally. A revised entrance route takes visitors along a winding pathway through planting in the south of the garden, creating a small amphitheatre behind the museum’s reception.

Alongside this is a working garden implemented by volunteers, providing a busy, active space with fruits and herbs set around a lawn.

The real joy of the project was working with our client’s team, and a host of stakeholders and volunteers, to develop and evolve their project through the challenges of funding, detailing and procurement to deliver a completed project which offers far more than was thought possible at the outset.

Initial design architects: Knox Bhavan Architects 

Amended design & executive architects: Austin Design Works

Funding body: Friends of Stroud District (Cowle) Museum Services

Structural engineer: Richard Jackson

Quantity Surveyor: Broadhursts

M&E: Greengauge

Contractor: DJP Construction

Lighting supplier: Phillex Electrical

Building services engineer: Lowe & Oliver

Electrician: John Phillips

Photography: Mark Walsh