Bronwen’s Sanctuary

Project Info

This small sanctuary built from locally grown timber provides a calm, restorative environment that supports children’s wellbeing through sensory richness and a close connection with nature.

Designed for Rhydypenau Primary School in Cardiff, the pavilion provides a dedicated setting for the children to engage in individual and group wellbeing activities, offering respite from the bustle of the playground. Positioned between a kitchen garden and a woodland clearing, the design draws daylight into the interior while framing views out to the surrounding landscape, encouraging children to engage with the natural environment throughout the year.

Made almost entirely from wood, the building combines a traditionally jointed pegged timber frame with prefabricated floor, wall and roof components, enabling efficient assembly and future disassembly. Locally and regionally sourced cypress and cedar, together with breathable hemp-lime plaster, create a tactile, aromatic interior that relies entirely on natural light and passive solar gain. Offcuts from the timber frame were repurposed to make the furniture, while reusable foundations minimise impact on the surrounding tree roots and allow the structure to be removed without permanent damage to the site.

Quietly demonstrating the value of simple, natural materials, the project creates a place of exceptional and lasting quality where thoughtful timber craft directly enriches children’s everyday experience.