Brading Roman Villa

Gifford was employed as consulting structural engineer on the construction of a new exhibition hall and visitor centre at the site of an existing Roman Villa complex in Brading on the Isle of Wight.

The project involved the construction of a new large timber framed building to encompass the existing Roman remains at the site. The building extends out to form a new interactive visitor centre incorporating classrooms, shop, café, kitchens and service area.

The new structure is predominantly formed in timber with glulam columns and large span timber trusses (25m span), which are tied with circular metal rods and end bracketry.  A Bauder Grass Roof System surmounts the building.

Prior to works commencing and given the sensitivity of the site, the existing small steel frame over the remains was removed and a new weathertight crash deck and working platform structure was designed and constructed over the historic Roman remains. A detailed soil investigation was undertaken at the site to ascertain existing ground conditions and also to reduce the impact of any disturbance caused by the excavation works to the existing historic remains.

Green Apple Awards for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage. Architectural Heritage category; silver winner.