The Harehope Quarry Project offers environmental education, field studies, rural skills training, community development, and community arts based from a limestone quarry in the North Pennines.
Time-based Architecture
We are hosting a project by Michael Hammock from Barnard Castle. Michael is a postgraduate architecture student at the Bartlett School of architecture in London.
Here is his response to the question, "What is time based architecture?":
"Time-based architecture....hmmmm.
Loosely, the term refers to architecture that is considered in 4
dimensions, as opposed to the static or sculptural object. The idea is to consider how architecture can/should respond to continual change - to social or environmental changes, or to consider how architecture's meaning or significance changes continually in its relation to its context.
Another way of looking at it is that we like making things that move."
So there it is. An example of the things Michael's interested in would be photovoltaic units that rotate with the sun so that they are always in the optimum position for energy efficiency.
Michael began his preliminary research here in early November 2008.
Michael worked as a volunteer on the classroom construction so we're very pleased to have him and his fascinating project.
Update: 16th Nov 2008
Mike has set up several data loggers, which record temperature, humidity and ambient light. This information recorded over different periods at different seasons will enable him to model appropriate behaviours into his designs.
Latest News
- Working for a Future in Frosterley
- 08th Jun 2010
The Harehope Quarry Project have been awarded funding to 'kick start' a project in Frosterley to look at how Frosterley can become more sustainable in the light of climate change and peak oil. We are starting the project with a number of film showings at Frosterley Village Hall. These will include 'The Inconvenient Truth' and 'In Transition' on 17 June 2010, from 8.00pm and 'The Age of Stupid' on 24 June 2010, from 8.00pm. These will be be followed by an intial meeting on the 30 June 2010 to explain the project and encourage people to get involved. - The Great Rock Tour
- 17th Dec 2009
On yet another wet and windy Sunday in November, an intrepid group of children and adults set out to experience the "Great Rock Tour". The group, the North Pennines Rock Detective Club from Harehope Quarry, set out in two minibuses bravely driven by Weardale Community Transport! One minibus went west, whilst the other headed east. The two groups went in search of rocks, which are typical of the North Pennines. A small rock sample was taken from each site within the North Pennines Geopark and will be sent to a Geopark in southern France. The Reserve Geologique de Haute-Provence will be sent the rock samples, which will be incorporated into their "Children of the Earth" monument containing rock samples from around the world. - The Last Wilderness
- 20th Aug 2009
10th-12th September 2009, 7pm Harehope Quarry, Frosterley The Last Wilderness is a new site-specific creation from Changeling Productions, the theatre company known for creating unique work in unusual places throughout the UK and Europe. The Last Wilderness is the dramatic story of Thomas Allman, a North Pennines hill farmer, faced with the biggest decision of his life. Should he sell his farm to the mysterious stranger who apparently offers him the answer to all his problems? Haunted by the failures and betrayals of the past and his hopes for the future Thomas finds himself journeying to The Last Wilderness, a place where he must face up to who he is and what he is. Performances will take place over three evenings in the beautiful surroundings of Harehope Quarry in Frosterley, an eco-project that explores sustainable living, where the world-famous Frosterley Marble was originally quarried.
Next Events
- North Pennines Rock Detectives club: Harsh environments
- 25th Sep 2010
10.30am – 1.00pm. Come and find out what plants and animals can tolerate living with lead on the Hudeshope Beck in Middleton-in-Teesdale. Contact for details. - Volunteer day
- 09th Oct 2010
10.00am – 4.00pm. Join our regular volunteering event. Tasks will include the continued work on the eco-classroom and nature reserve management. Refreshments and a light lunch are provided so if you intend to come please let us know so we have an idea of numbers. - Halloween fun!
- 31st Oct 2010
4.00pm – 6.00pm. Come and help us celebrate the end of summer and the onset of the long dark nights of winter. A mixture of Halloween, Celtic New Year and a bonfire thrown in! Adults £4.50, Children £2.50, Families £9.00. Drop-in.