Chithurst Monastery

This fine building forms the heart of the local Buddhist community in Midhurst and employs mediaeval crown post roof trusses in the form of an aisled barn. Note the cranked and tapered tie beams and jowled main posts. The braces were cut from curved stock from the estate and set aside for several years to air dry before the frame was built to ensure the joints remained tight after the shrinkage has taken place.

There are few materials as beautiful as timber and as evocative of their origins.

Chithurst Cloisters was a major undertaking completed following on from completion of the main meditation hall, over 12 years in 4 phases as funds of The British Sanga Trust allowed. It is without doubt a truly beautiful and tranquil space; a place of contemplation and renewal for monks and lay people alike. We would like to acknowledge Nick Scott and Sam Ford who as client representatives were a delight to work with, also the architect Andrew Yeates from Eco Arc who embraced the principles of collaborative design in the best tradition of the 'Arts and Crafts' building ethic, and finally the clients themselves; the monks and nuns of Chithurst Buddhist Community who were exemplary in every way. It was in so many ways a dream project and we are proud to have been the carpentry team to help bring the building to realisation. Now that it is complete it belongs in the landscape and creates a sense of place, which is after all, that part of beauty that is within the domain of the architect, builder and carpenter. (Photography: Duncan McNichol)

To the left of shot is the main Meditation Hall (Dharma Hall) of the monastery. This private enclosed space is a popular meeting space for lay people and monks to talk before and after the meditations. (Photography: Duncan McNichol)

Note the inclusion of cranked and tapered tie beams and traditional King Post Trusses. Balustrades are jointed integrally to the main posts of the structure to form a harmonious whole. (Photography: Duncan McNichol)

A large part of the structure is curved requiring Green Oak Carpentry to cut the top plates and ridge beams from curved sections of timber. Ensuring the stability of these sections is not easy and careful selection of timber is essential. Note the use of 200mm square columns (originally shown as 15mm square) as the larger section is essential to ensure both longevity and stability of the frame. (Photography: Duncan McNichol)

The decision not to use roofing felt was an important decision that allowed the materiality of the roof battens and clay tile to speak for itself. Note the large eaves and plinths to keep the weather off the structure and ensure longevity of the oak frame. (Photography: Duncan McNichol)

The main entrance form the car park utilises a sling braced truss, which is both highly decorative and functional as it ensures there is no tie beam at plate level to create headroom issues. (Photography: Duncan McNichol)

Repetition of the trusses at regular bay intervals ensures a deeply satisfying rhythm of structure and is essential to successful use of oak framing as a system of construction. The bell tower formed part of the penultimate phase and is in regular use calling the monks and nuns to their daily practice. We think this is an extraordinarily successful project and which was also a wonderful example of a collaboration between client, architect and carpenter. (Photography: Duncan McNichol)