Exploring the lesser-known facets of contemporary Welsh art and design movement
In the picturesque landscapes of Wales, a unique architectural legacy has been uncovered. The book 'Cabin Crew', published next month by The Modernist, delves into the story of Hird & Brooks, a visionary architectural group that brought Danish-inspired cabin culture to Wales.
Graham Brooks, a Welsh School of Architecture graduate, and John Hird, a Cardiff-based architect, formed the partnership that would become Hird & Brooks in 1956. Despite their differences, they made a formidable team, creating residential schemes infused with Brooks' passion for Danish design.
Their work gained recognition, with Hird & Brooks winning 17 awards by the time Hird passed away in 2009. One of their most notable achievements was the creation of a nationwide network of tasteful, high-quality cabins for the Forestry Commission in the 1970s.
The pair obsessed over every detail of their holiday cabins, from woodland settings and colour schemes to fitted furniture and custom-designed wood burners. Their creations offer a faded slice of homegrown hygge from unsung visionaries.
However, the Scandinavian summerhouse idyll never really took off. Only five sites were built, with two now gone. Yet, it is still possible to rent a Hird & Brooks cabin in Wales, at the Penlan Holiday Park and the old Forestry Commission site at Lochaweside.
Peter Halliday, one such renter, owns a Hird & Brooks cabin at Bierwood, a complex of 17-holiday homes in Pembrokeshire. Bethan Dalton, another owner, resides at the Penlan Holiday Park. The authors of 'Cabin Crew', Peter Halliday and Bethan Dalton, share a deep appreciation for the architectural legacy of Hird & Brooks.
Regrettably, neither of the rentable Hird & Brooks cabins in Wales is in pristine condition. The passage of time has left its mark on these unsung gems. Yet, they remain a testament to the vision and craftsmanship of Hird & Brooks.
Graham Brooks passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. The Hird & Brooks archive is housed in the Library of Aberystwyth, providing a treasure trove of information for those interested in exploring the history of this pioneering architectural group.
'Cabin Crew' promises to be an insightful journey into the world of Hird & Brooks, offering a glimpse into the lives of these unsung visionaries and the enduring impact of their work.
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