James Gorst Architects finishes temple complex in Hampshire

The Rake Village Temple, designed by James Gorst Architects, is a series of interconnected buildings and orthogonal pavilions centred around a cloistered walkway. The temple complex won in competition and is located in the picturesque village of Rake, nestled within the South Downs National Park. Replacing an existing, dilapidated 1970s complex, the new building comprises a temple, library, chapels, meeting spaces, public foyer and kitchen - all designed to be enjoyed by the community. The buildings are organised around a central courtyard and connected by a series of cloistered walkways, providing visitors with a peaceful and contextual experience. The internal arrangement progresses from secular to ritualistic spaces; starting from a timber portico and social foyer at the visitor entrance in the east, and leading into the main temple space in the west.

The architect was given a brief to create a building that would be peaceful and simple, so they chose a restrained palette of materials including timber, brick, and chalk lime mortar - which is typical of the local context. The resulting spaces allow for quiet contemplation and encourage a spiritual connection to the surrounding landscape.

Sustainability was a key consideration in the design of the project, with the team adopting a ‘fabric-first’ approach. The glulam structural frame was constructed off-site and designed to eliminate the need for steelwork. Underfloor heating is provided by a ground source heat pump that is buried in the landscape. Additional power is provided by photovoltaic panels. The inner temple’s precast pendentive arches provide thermal mass. A raised floor slab naturally cools the interior with fresh air supplied by an underground labyrinth ventilation system.

The architect, working together with landscape architect McWilliam Studio, did a total overhaul of the site which now has a series of gardens you can stroll through, connecting different valleys. At the entrance to the building, there are two reflection pools to welcome you and help you prepare for what's inside. The central courtyard is the size of the temple itself so you can get a sense of the space before you even enter.

“Our aim was to create balance between the landscape, building and interiors; to form one coherent and harmonious design, exploring the relationship of the architecture to the spiritual context,” said Steve Wilkinson, associate at James Gorst Architects.

 

David Roy, Director of James Gorst Architects, added: “Our design for this temple complex is the result of a very detailed journey of collaboration with our client. The process of listening and responding to their unique requirements over an extended period of time allowed us to create a building that is closely tailored to their needs, and which expresses our ethos of sensitivity, proportion, and purpose.”

 

Credits