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Hadrian's Nomadic Artist's Studio

Shortlisted for the Architects' Journal Small Projects Prize, this mobile Artist's Studio is a deployable structure designed to travel between sites of Roman ruin along Hadrian's Wall. Our competition winning entry provided accommodation for artists invited to enjoy a residency as a part of the Hexham Book Festival.

Taking its name from the teahouses constructed as meeting places along Roman roads, the Mansio is our collaboration with artists and architects Kieran Wardle and Matthew Butcher. The unusual translucent forms of the pavilion give a ghostly presence in the ruined settings along the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Comprised of a white steel frame clad in panels of translucent polycarbonate, it features a chimney stack that illuminates like a beacon when in use, and a set of fin-like shutters that open and close to generate various levels of enclosure to facilitate different uses and moods.

During the day, the Mansio opens its panels to invite visitors into the workspaces of the Artist in Residence
After the Artist leaves the Mansion at the end of each day, the structure folds itself away and creates a enclosed exterior to remain secure until the next day
When the structure is ready to be moved to the next site, it is carefully disassembled and packed into its interior, and mounted on picked up by an articulated vehicle
The disassembled, packed structure is a road legal vehicle
"The rich history of Hadrian's Wall and its peoples provide a creative foundation for the authors involved in The Mansio project, writing new responses to the ever-present issue of borders and colonisation and the unique history of this ancient Roman landscape."

– Susie Troup, Director of Hexham Book Festival

The project launched in South Shields, following a route along Hadrian's Wall, taking in UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites that include the Roman forts of Arbeia, Birdoswald, Senhouse and Carlisle Castle.

Isometric drawing of the polycarbonate-clad structure.

Unoccupied in public spaces at night, the structure folds itself closed to be made safe and secure.

Collaborators

Matthew Butcher, Kieran Wardle

Location

Various (Hadrian’s Wall)

Structural Engineer

Structure Mode

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During the day, the Mansio opens its panels to invite visitors into the workspaces of the Artist in Residence
After the Artist leaves the Mansion at the end of each day, the structure folds itself away and creates a enclosed exterior to remain secure until the next day
When the structure is ready to be moved to the next site, it is carefully disassembled and packed into its interior, and mounted on picked up by an articulated vehicle
The disassembled, packed structure is a road legal vehicle
Isometric drawing of the polycarbonate-clad structure.