Weald and Downland Gridshell

The Weald and Downland Gridshell stands in West Sussex as a modern timber structure built in 2002 for the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. Designed by Buro Happold and Edward Cullinan Architects, it features a curved gridshell made of oak from Normandy and clad with local cedar. The building was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize in 2002 and has since won multiple awards. Its prototype, also a self-supporting gridshell, served as a temporary entrance canopy at the Pompidou Centre in Paris. The gridshell’s innovative design and craftsmanship have earned it recognition across Europe and beyond. It received the RIBA Regional Architecture Award in 2002 and was runner-up for the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2003. Other accolades include the IStructE David Alsop Commendation and the Wood Awards Gold Award in 2003. The Civic Trust and Sussex Heritage Trust also honoured its contribution to environmental quality and design. Inside, the gridshell houses exhibition spaces and workshops that showcase traditional building techniques. Its light-filled interior reveals the elegant timber framework, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding landscape. The building’s curved form and natural materials blend seamlessly with the museum’s historic setting. Visitors can explore both the structure itself and the exhibits it protects, making it a key attraction in the open-air museum.