The Four Seasons Studio, planned and created over a 10-year period, is a significant development for Othona and a distinctive new facility for the region. The £300,000 project was made possible by core funding from the Othona Community Trust and Othona West Dorset’s own operating reserves. We would also like to express our appreciation for the generosity of all our many individual donors and for the grants from
- The Inlight Trust which contributed £42,500 towards the cost of building Four Seasons Studio.
- Allchurches Trust which contributed £5,250 towards the cost of equipping Four Seasons Studio.
- Rank Foundation Pebble Grants which contributed £1,500 towards the cost of Four Seasons Studio.
- Low Carbon Dorset as part of the European Regional Development Fund which contributed a grant of almost £14,000 which will help us save a huge 14.9 tonnes of CO2 from Dorset air each year.
History
The site of the Four Seasons Studio was originally our Art Room, built in the 1980s and beloved by many of our visitors. It served us well for nearly 40 years, accommodating a range of creative and recreational activities. However it lacked insulation, heating, storage, toilet or kitchen facilities, and had no disabled access.
Despite its ramshackle charms and decades of memories, by the 2010s it was apparent that the Art Room was deteriorating, with structural issues making it not worth repairing. We decided that we needed a new building that would solve all these issues and be a year-round resource for our resident visitors as well as individuals and groups from the local community.
You can take a photographic journey from Art Room to Four Seasons Studio by clicking here.
Phase 1: 2012 to 2017 - Research and Specification
A Four Seasons Studio Development Group set up to carry out research, consult with potential local users, architects and building experts, and create a user specification.
Our specification was ambitious and demanding. The new Four Seasons Studio had to be multipurpose, functional and practical. We also wanted it to be inspiring, and enhance a beautiful natural setting. Carbon neutrality and ease of maintenance were key factors.
Phase 2: 2017 to 2021 - Design and Build
2017 Essential surveys completed; initial plans and budgets drawn up...and revised due to high cost.
2018 Architect Fisher Associates appointed. Detailed designs and plans produced and received planning permission.
2019
June Four Seasons Studio Board set up to manage construction - Andy Davey,(finance), Mark Gallagher (Project Manager), Tony Jaques (OWD Warden), Elizabeth Sayers (chair) and Janet Webster. After a rigorous costing and tendering process, Dave Fowler, Carpenter and Building Services appointed main building contractor.
July Old Art Room ceremonially demolished by Pete Baird, Paul Owens and volunteers.
Nov Construction started. The aim was to complete the building in April 2020 ready for a celebratory opening during Dorset Arts Weeks in May. We all know what happened in 2020; work was delayed due to Covid.
2020 Building and decking finally finished. Landscaping, fitting out and furnishing continued.
2021 Studio officially open and welcoming its first users. We are delighted with the new Studio, which surpasses our ambitious expectations. Our visitors and local users all say they are enjoying using it!
If you would like to see photos of the creation of the Four Seasons Studio, click here.
Thank you
A big THANK YOU to:
All our visitors and supporters, trustees and committee members, without whose contributions, support and encouragement this would not have been possible.
Architects, Fisher & Associates.
Builder, Dave Fowler, Carpenter and Building Services.
Pete Baird and Paul Owens, for their landscaping work, transforming the area round the Studio and creating the accessible track - and putting in the fire engine access stairs.
And last, but not least, our funders...
Click here for further details for hiring the Four Seasons Studio.
Click here for a gallery of images of the Four Seasons Studio.