The Weald & Downland Living Museum in Chichester, West Sussex, features a new gateway building designed to enhance the visitor experience at the open-air museum. The project provides a welcoming entrance and public facility that complements the museum’s historic setting while demonstrating the potential of modern timber construction.

STA member KLH is a leading manufacturer of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and supplied the engineered timber structure used within the project. A total of 359m³ of CLT was incorporated into the building, with the timber structure installed over a 27-day construction period. Manufactured offsite to precise specifications, the large-format timber elements supported efficient assembly on site while delivering a high-quality structural solution.

Projects such as the Weald & Downland Living Museum demonstrate how timber construction can be successfully applied to public buildings that require strong architectural character, efficient construction and improved environmental performance. The project highlights the versatility of engineered timber systems in creating contemporary public spaces that respond sensitively to their surroundings while supporting long-term sustainability objectives.