In 2020, we started an exciting project with the National Coal Mining Museum. The goal was to create a multi-purpose building that would house stabling for four Clydesdale horses while also accommodating toilets, education spaces, and conference facilities. The project was completed in 2021, and between those two dates, we encountered quite a few challenges and innovations that made this project truly one-of-a-kind.
Project challenges
Clydesdale horses are known for their impressive size and strength, originally bred for the demanding tasks of the mining industry. This presented a significant challenge for our team. To accommodate these 4 magnificent horses, we had to source barn doors of a very specific size, much larger than those typically seen in the UK. These doors were not only massive but also incredibly heavy, which impacted on the design of the overall building. These horses can stand over six or seven feet at their withers (shoulders) and so we needed something out of the ordinary in terms of stable doors and access into the building that ensured that the Clydesdales had easy access to their stables within the facility.Our regular steel personnel doors were not going to cut it, and neither was a standard sized stable door with a divided top and bottom half. We also needed to provide suitable security and meet building codes for this kind of building so a wooden door was out of the question.We approached a number of our third-party door suppliers and eventually settled on a design by Strongdor - a stable door that was 2.9m high, 1.3m wide and with a divider 1.52m from the ground, allowing the top half of the door to be opened but the bottom half shut to keep the horses in the stable.The doors were 45mm think and constructed from two layers of galvanised steel fastened to a composite core and each powder coated to an appropriate colour. The door required six hinges because of the weight of the doors. This in itself provided another challenge - the steel frame had to be be specially engineered to take the weight of the doors!
The Building Design
The multi-purpose building we created was a 15m x 24m x 4.5m single-skin steel structure. It featured motorised roller shutters and regular PA doors, but the standout feature was undoubtedly the oversized barn doors designed bespoke and provided by Strongdor.
Internal Layout and Functionality
Inside the building, we incorporated internal blockwork to demarcate different sections. This allowed us to create dedicated spaces for education and conference facilities, providing a versatile environment for various activities and events. The design aimed to seamlessly blend the functional requirements of stabling with the educational and conference needs of the project.
Windows and Final Touches
The building's rear side featured nine windows, strategically placed to allow ample natural light and provide a view of the surrounding environment. These windows, supplied by Solarframe, added both aesthetic appeal and functionality to the structure.The facility officially opened its doors at the end of June 2021 and has since become a significant and integral part of the museum. You can find out more information about the Clydesdale horses and their history here, where you'll also find images of the horses within the building we proudly created.This project exemplifies our commitment to meeting unique challenges, embracing innovation, and delivering exceptional results that leave a lasting impact. We're proud to have played a part in bringing this vision to life, and we look forward to future projects that continue to push the boundaries of construction and design. Take a look at our other projects at https://www.castlesteelbuildings.co.uk/gallery/
