Henry Moore Studios & Gardens
Henry Moore Foundation is delighted to announce that leading architecture and urban design practice DSDHA has been appointed to conduct the architectural redevelopment of a dedicated learning and exhibition space at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, the former Hertfordshire home of sculptor Henry Moore. DSDHA will transform the existing Sheep Field Barn Gallery into an exciting space for learning and engagement activities as well as modernising the existing display spaces.
Henry Moore was passionate about education and one of his reasons for setting up the Foundation was to continue communicating enthusiasm for sculpture and the arts in general.
The Foundation’s education programme has developed substantially over the years: at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens we welcome over 2000 school children per annum and offer a varied programme of drop-in workshops, educational talks and tours for people of all ages. The building that is most suitable to adapt and extend for learning and engagement activities is the Sheep Field Barn, located in the heart of the Moore estate.
The ambition is to develop and add a modest extension to the existing building to provide state-of-the-art facilities to run a wide-ranging engagement programme, from school workshops to academic talks, which would cater for all segments of our audience and provide greater opportunities for engagement. The new space will display Moore’s work, create two state of the art education spaces, facilitate views of the sheep fields beyond the barn and contribute to the Foundation’s aspiration to become carbon net zero. Lesley Wake, CEO at Henry Moore Foundation said "DSDHA stood out for us at tender because of their sympathetic approach to the environment, their connection to Henry Moore and the ambition of their sustainable approach to our project, combined with their impressive track record"
Deborah Saunt, Founding Director at DSDHA said “Our redevelopment aims to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that appeals to and nurtures all visitors. Our approach for the barn, inspired by Moore’s ethos of no nonsense frugality, interrogates each design decision through a lens of sustainability at every scale. The design will offer constant views of nature, to anchor and create a considered backdrop to the work, home and studios of Henry Moore and the Foundation today”.