Located two miles west of Eastbourne, Black Robin Farm will act as a cultural gateway to the South Downs, linking town, downland, and coast. The project proposes a centre for education and culture that mediates between Eastbourne’s town centre and the National Park, establishing a civic threshold that encourages engagement with the landscape. The centre will be operated by the award-winning Towner Eastbourne.

The farm and its site is shaped by the mineral landscape of chalk and flint. The pale, dry, porous terrain comprises flint-spattered fields, hedgerows, and shallow valleys, to which the architecture responds directly. Material re-use has been prioritised, with reclaimed brick, lime mortar, flint, and landscape excavations forming a palette born of the site. Recycled knapped flint from deconstructed walls and buildings, along with natural field flints foraged on site, will be incorporated, and any existing lime mortar will be reused as aggregate. Working with The Flint Wall Company, a local specialist, we have developed a robust approach to materials, finishes, and construction rooted in the character of the site.

The new gallery building sits on the northern side of the track and comprises three distinct gallery volumes, rendered in lime and flint. Monopitch roofs follow the land’s slope, providing north-lit galleries and optimal orientation for photovoltaic panels. The arrangement references grain silos and the logic of single-function agricultural spaces, while framing westward views to Birling Gap. A north-south axis defines a large courtyard, sheltered from prevailing westerly winds. Internally, gallery spaces were developed with Towner to create flexible, simple, raw spaces for art; one gallery is climate-controlled, while the other two are designed to GIS standards.

The existing agricultural buildings date from the late 19th century and are arranged in archetypical E-plan formations around fold yards to protect animals from exposure to the harsh winds. The farm was extended throughout the 20th century, giving rise to a tension between two different scales of built fabric, which creates a spatially dynamic site, and visually tells the story of the evolution of the farm and its activities. The new proposals are derived from an exploration of these scales and a respect for the as-found agricultural character and celebrating the views out to Birling Gap and Beachy Head.

New buildings replicate the north-south wings around an education yard and productive orchard, balancing accessibility with vernacular principles. Through careful study of the existing architecture, the design preserves and celebrates the sensory qualities of the site. A considered palette of scales, materials, and agricultural references fosters a rich connection to the landscape, creating spaces for learning, making, and community engagement within the South Downs.

Material re-use has been prioritised, with reclaimed brick, lime mortar, flint, and landscape excavations forming a palette born of the site. Flint and lime mortar, derived from chalk, resonate with the surrounding Downland and historic farm buildings. The proposed gallery steps down with the natural slope, using flint and lime forms. Recycled knapped flint from deconstructed walls, natural boney field flints from site excavations, and existing lime mortar will be incorporated. Working with The Flint Wall Company, cast stone lintels complement the lime mortar, with corners formed from carefully selected boney field flints. Material processes and finishes will be developed in collaboration during technical design.