Sheep Field Barn Gallery redevelopment
Follow along with progress on the redevelopment of our Sheep Field Barn Gallery here.
About the project
We are delighted to be working with leading architecture and urban design practice DSDHA to transform our Sheep Field Barn Gallery into a dedicated learning and exhibition space in the centre of Henry Moore’s estate.
DSDHA will transform the existing building into an exciting space for learning about sculpture through creative workshops and engagement activities, as well as modernising the gallery spaces.
Henry Moore was passionate about education, and one of his reasons for setting up the Foundation was to continue communicating enthusiasm for sculpture and the arts in general.
Our education programme has developed substantially over the years and we now welcome over 2000 school children per annum to the Studios & Gardens. We also host a varied programme of drop-in workshops, educational talks and tours for people of all ages.
To help us continue and expand these programmes we needed to improve our facilities for learning and engagement. The Sheep Field Barn gallery is the most suitable building on our premises to adapt for this purpose.
Our ambition is to add a modest extension to the existing building which will create state-of-the-art education and workshop spaces, providing facilities to run our wide-ranging engagement programme. A new gallery space will display Moore’s artworks, and the development will also contribute to the Foundation’s aspiration to become carbon net zero.
Moore established the Henry Moore Foundation in 1977, gifting the grounds, buildings, and contents of his 70-acre estate in Perry Green, Hertfordshire to his new charity. Today we continue to conserve his work and present it at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens in the setting in which it was created. We also continue Moore’s commitment to education, learning and encouraging a life-long enthusiasm for visual arts.
Demand for enriching activities is increasing and our current spaces limit our capacity to engage with visitors of all ages. The redevelopment will allow us to better tell the story of one of Britain’s most acclaimed artists in an accessible, engaging way and inspire a new generation of art lovers.
At Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, we have recently created a Visitor Engagement team where our Engagement Curator and new Families Engagement Coordinator will offer activities that help to deepen engagement with visiting schools, other educational groups, special needs education students, young adults, academic groups and children and their families.
While the redevelopment project is going on, we will continue to offer events, tours, workshops and online resources for visitors, groups, schools and students. You can find out more about what we offer in the Learning, Thinking, Making section of our website.
About the architect
DSDHA is an architecture, urban design and spatial research studio, whose internationally acclaimed work spans from crafting beautiful and sustainable buildings, welcoming landscapes and whole new neighbourhoods. DSDHA aim to foster positive change in the built environment and to empower communities, creating social value through collaboration and meaningful engagement.
Recent projects include: National Youth Theatre, Exchange Square, Royal Albert Hall public realm, Edmund de Waal Studio and Gallery, and the refurbishment of London’s iconic Economist Plaza in St James.
“DSDHA stood out for us at tender because of their sympathetic approach to the environment, their connection to Henry Moore and the ambition of their sustainable approach to our project, combined with their impressive track record.”
Lesley Wake, Chief Operating Officer at Henry Moore Foundation
“Our redevelopment aims to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that appeals to and nurtures all visitors. Our approach for the barn, inspired by Moore’s ethos of no nonsense frugality, interrogates each design decision through a lens of sustainability at every scale.
“The design will offer constant views of nature, to anchor and create a considered backdrop to the work, home and studios of Henry Moore and the Foundation today.”
Deborah Saunt, Founding Director at DSDHA
Project updates
Our contractor, Rooff, provides regular updates on how the project is progressing, and details of forthcoming works.
Give feedback
If you would like to give us any feedback about this project, you can contact us using the form below.