The Wash House

Recognized with the Best Sustainable Design Project Award at the Scottish Structural Awards 2024, The Wash House at The Secret Campsite represents an exemplary collaboration in sustainable architecture, led by Allt Environmental Structural Engineers, Local Works Studio, and Rural Workshop. This innovative project embodies the principles of a circular economy by prioritizing material reuse from the outset, resulting in a building that is not only low-carbon but also cost-effective.

Sustainability at Its Core
The Wash House is a lightweight timber structure designed to provide essential amenities for campers in a way that minimizes environmental impact and integrates harmoniously with its surroundings. This thoughtful approach not only lowered the building’s ecological footprint but also reduced costs, delivering a structure that aligns with the campsite’s sustainable ethos and enhances its unique character. Key sustainable design strategies include:

Local Materials: Locally sourced larch and sweet chestnut timber for the superstructure and reused telegraph pole posts for foundations.
Circular Economy Principles: Material reuse was prioritized from the beginning, ensuring minimal waste and a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
Low-Impact Foundations: The cantilevered telegraph pole posts eliminated the need for carbon-intensive concrete foundations.
Embodied Carbon Analysis: The project achieved an A++ score for embodied carbon, calculated using the IStructE / Elliott Wood carbon calculator and verified through in-house tools.

Collaborative Design and Construction
The success of The Wash House is rooted in a highly collaborative process between engineers, architects, and builders. The project employed a sketch-based design and construction strategy, allowing for flexibility in material selection and rapid adaptation to on-site conditions. Key Features:

A focus on using locally available, natural materials.
A seamless integration of reclaimed elements, including metal roofing and FF&E.
A family-friendly and accessible design that elevates the camping experience.

Leading Construction and Problem-Solving
As the principal contractor and designer Rural Workshop played a central role in bringing The Wash House to life, including:

Project Management: Oversaw the end-to-end construction process, coordinating efforts between Local Works Studio, Allt Environmental, and on-site teams.
Technical Design: Collaborated closely with engineers and designers to refine construction details, ensuring the successful implementation of the cantilevered telegraph pole foundation system and other innovative features.
Material Selection and Sourcing: Facilitated the sourcing and integration of reclaimed materials, balancing sustainability with project constraints.
On-Site Problem-Solving: Adapted to material availability and resolved technical challenges in real-time, maintaining the project’s eco-commitments and quality.
Health and Safety Oversight: Ensured compliance with CDM regulations and Building Control requirements throughout the build.

Read more about the project here:
https://woodknowledge.wales/the-secret-campsite-honoured-for-sustainable-design-excellence-at-the-scottish-structural-awards/
https://localworksstudio.com/projects/the-wash-house/
https://thesecretcampsite.co.uk/

Construction Process

Pre-construction

Site/Inventory

Collaborators, Trades and Suppliers

The Secret Campsite, Local Works Studio, Allt Environmental, Compliance Buidling Control, Goddard Consulting (CDM), John Church Electrician, Wave Plumbing, Ryder Joinery, AG Projects, Andrew Coates Woodland Products, Wilderness Wood, Pilmer Wood, Copfords Sawmill, Covers Building Merchants and my trusty team of Carpenters Will, Joe, Bea, Nick, Liam, Josh, Mark, Steffi, Greg, Alex & work experience chap.

Photo Credits

Shaun Ryder, Local Works Studio, Will Gubbins, Bea Everett

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