The building was commissioned by The White Eagle Lodge, a non-denominational multi-faith spiritual organisation founded in 1936. James Gorst Architects were selected for the project in 2018 following a two-stage design competition.

The brief was established following three years of measured, contemplative consultation with the client, building users and the local community. Considered thought was given to designing for multi-faith visitors and architecture as sacred expression. The outcome of these discussions sought to create a forward-looking building characterised by peace and simplicity, open to the local community with sustainability at its core.

Located on the on the spur of hillside projecting westwards with expansive across the South Downs National Park, the new temple is grounded on what is believed to be an ancient ley line connecting Chapel Common to the old nunnery of Lyss Place.

The new building, which is open to the public, comprises a temple, library, chapels, a multi-use community hall, public foyer and catering kitchen within newly landscaped grounds. The rationalised plan is organised as a series of orthogonal, timber framed pavilions connected by a cloistered walkway, facing onto a central courtyard garden. The internal arrangement follows a progression from secular to ritual spaces, moving from a timber portico and social foyer at the visitor entrance in the east, through to the main temple space in the west.

The open, multi-faith building takes inspiration from the historic sixteenth century Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar. With a square plan with entrances on each of the cardinal points, the principal sacred space is designed to welcome visitors from all faiths and from the four corners of the world.

An ancient pathway known as The Shipwright’s Way runs beside the site, passing clay beds and chalk streams, following a Tudor pathway used to transport by timber from an ancient oak forest to the shipbuilding city of Portsmouth.

The building makes use of each of these materials – it is entirely timber framed, with a facing clay brickwork set within a chalk lime mortar. The materials are entirely self-finished creating a harmonious palette of tones. The resulting spaces allow for quiet contemplation and encourage a spiritual connection to the surrounding landscape.

The building demonstrates an exemplar approach to passive design and long-term sustainability. James Gorst Architects adopted a ‘fabric-first’ approach to the build, with the main structural frame constructed off-site from engineered timber, following analytical testing to eliminate the need for steelwork.

Heating is provided by a ground source heat pump that is buried in the landscape powered from a photovoltaic panel array located on site. An innovative raised floor slab provides passive cooling to the internal spaces with fresh air supplied by an underground labyrinth ventilation system, while high level actuators in the temple clerestory allow warm air to escape.

Building photography by Rory Gardiner.