"The building, wide, low and open, felt like a slice of California in the middle of Buckinghamshire. This sensation was explained to me by the Telegraph's architecture critic Ellis Woodman, who said that Marshall is influenced by the LA Case Study houses, which favour long rectangles and plentiful use of glass, built round swimming pools" says Serena Davies.Original elements of the dairy farm have been retained, including two red-brick
barns. Many
vernacular features of the farm buildings have also been reinterpreted such as the metallic roofs and oak shutters. The complex was built using environmentally
sustainable design principles. It has
grey water recycling and
ground source heating. The
shutters allow natural ventilation and the deep eaves protect offices from the sun. It is also one of Britain's largest naturally-cooled
archives as the stores have thick walls which create a stable environment without the use of
air-conditioning. == Art ==