Poulner Baptist Chapel
Poulner, New Forest
This is a striking new church extension in Poulner, near Ringwood on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Designed by DUA Architecture, the project provides a flexible, welcoming facility for a growing local congregation and was recognised with a New Forest National Park Building Design Award for its design quality and community benefit.
At the heart of the scheme is a naturally lit worship space topped by a dramatic pyramidal glass lantern fitted with three sculptural sails that control solar gain and glare. An internal street / foyer links old and new fabric, and provides a 'spill-out' space from the auditorium.
The building is finished in warm buff facing brickwork with a contemporary zinc roof, giving the chapel a fresh yet timeless character. Ample bicycle parking, ramped access and clear circulation ensure accessibility for all users.
Providing an uplifting civic building for Poulner and the wider Ringwood community, the project’s New Forest National Park Building Design Award underlines its success as both an architectural and social asset.