Salisbury Cathedral and its surrounding Close form one of the most perfect architectural set pieces anywhere, and it seemed an act of folly to even contemplate building within the precinct. However, we studied the historical development of the precinct, and began to realise that there could be an appropriate site.
The Close has always had two zones. On the east, north and west sides of the cathedral is a grassed public open space but in the south-east corner is the Bishop’s Palace, which has never been publicly accessible. In recent times its occupation by a preparatory school effectively perpetuated this privacy. A potential site, therefore, was the area used latterly by the cathedral’s works department.
The open surroundings give the impression that the cathedral can be viewed from all sides. In reality, the southern side is partially hidden. On this side is a pair of wonderful octagonal buildings, the Chapter House and the Treasury, as well as the Cloisters. The project explored the possibility that the public might have access to this “missing” view.
The project provides an appropriate setting for the Magna Carta and associated exhibition spaces. The building takes the form of a raised terrace garden, supported on a series of vaults, that would allow visitors to see the south side of the cathedral. The terrace is reached by a shallow ramp that climbs from the path that runs in front of the west end of the cathedral. It is also accessible via an extended staircase adjacent to the point of access from the Cloisters. The ramp and staircase are set into a series of embankments that surround the proposed building.
Internally, linear barrel vaults are supported on a grid of columns which give expression to the weight of the garden above.