Lifting the lid on an amazing space
Architect George Clarke will quite literally lift the lid on his extraordinary tree house project in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, to the nation on Thursday December 12 2013.
Over the last eight weeks, TV viewers have watched the Sky Den’s progress on Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces with much anticipation.
In Thursday’s (December 12) episode at 8pm, Sunderland-born George will finally reveal the finished design of his accessible tree house, sited at Calvert Trust Kielder within the award-winning Kielder Water & Forest Park.
Created in collaboration with designer William Hardie, the Sky Den features a triangular pod with a spectacular opening roof, revealing the darkest night skies in the whole of England.
Budding astronomers will be able to lie back and revel in the star-studded skies of Kielder Water & Forest Park which, together with Northumberland National Park, has just been awarded Europe’s largest Gold Tier Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Skies Association.
George’s project has ‘shaped’ up well – made up of another two pods, guests will be able to choose from viewing the forest inside the unusual circular shelter, heated by a wood burning stove, to relaxing in the square room with its innovative furniture they can pull from the walls to put together themselves.
Speaking about the Sky Den, George said: “We’ve never designed anything like it before. Its part tree house, part art installation and can offer a unique experience on a unique site.”
Calvert Trust Kielder, where the Sky Den is located, is a charity which helps people with disabilities to achieve their potential through outdoor activities.
Peter Cockerill, Calvert Trust Chief Executive, said: “This innovative and accessible amazing space goes against the usual expectations of a tree house and realises our vision of people with disabilities sharing in life’s opportunities”
For more information about the accommodation, call 01434 250 232 or email enquiries@calvert-kielder.com
ENDS
For more information contact Janine Scott, Communications Advisor (Kielder Water & Forest Park), on 0191 301 5538 or janine.scott@nwl.co.uk.
Notes to editor:
Kielder Water and Forest Park, which spans 250 square miles, is home to the largest forest in England and the largest man-made lake in northern Europe. It was awarded the number one tourism experience in England by Visit England 2013, and the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. For more information see www.visitkielder.com.
Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust is a registered charity working to develop the Park as an inspirational place. It aims to improve economic, social and environmental sustainability, provide public recreation and leisure facilities, facilitate education in all aspects of the natural environment and advance art and architecture in the Park. The Trust works with the range of communities to benefit from these activities.
Members, who have appointed directors/trustees to serve on the board, are Northumbrian Water, Forestry Commission, Calvert Trust Kielder and Northumberland County Council. Affiliate organisations that are not members but have a close working relationship with KWFPDT include Arts Council England, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, The Scout Association and local decision making bodies such as the parish councils.
