Redefining possibilities - a landmark development for a national organisation
By Selby Stocks | 25.03.25
The internationally recognised British Naturism organisation aims to protect and provide Naturist venues across the UK. The group came to Rural Solutions with a vibrant and positive aspiration for the redevelopment of its Sunfolk site, which is nestled within a five-acre woodland in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Our clients come in all shapes and sizes, and British Naturism – the UK’s Naturist membership organisation – proved to be no exception.
The client’s vision
British Naturism had the ambition to create a luxurious day spa, glamping and camping facility, to rival the more premium experiences available across Europe.
The Sunfolk site has more than 90 years of Naturist history, but the facilities had become rundown and required refurbishment with upgraded modern facilities.
The art of the possible
The challenge was balancing ambition with a finite budget. Initial design and cost assessments revealed that constructing a new centralised pavilion, along with the planned landscape and facilities, would exceed the budget.
Having identified this early on, we could focus on finding alternatives. The solution was to re-purpose and extend the existing clubhouse to create a new pavilion. Whilst at first glance, this seemed an unlikely choice, it proved to be the best course of action.
Despite being a former timber scout hut which was relocated to the site in the 1930s, the clubhouse provided the most cost-effective option for this. Tender figures for construction confirmed our initial cost estimates, and to maximise space while keeping costs down, we incorporated large covered areas using timber pergolas, which expanded the usable footprint without inflating the budget.
Navigating planning challenges
Located within green belt land, the site was subject to strict regulations limiting increases in built volume rather than footprint. To work within these constraints, we designed the new section of the building with a flat roof to maximise footprint and maintained an apex roof design on the original building. This approach also kept construction costs to a minimum whilst optimising space.
Additionally, we incorporated covered external spaces which allowed us to optimise the project within policy restrictions. However, an unexpected challenge arose when the local authority mandated a drainage scheme to mitigate flooding and surface water, adding further expense and complexity to the project.
"Your input has certainly been invaluable for us in arriving at what we are clear is a scheme for the site which balances our ambitions with what is practical within budgetary and planning constraints. British Naturism"
Maximising budget through value engineering
The unexpected drainage and engineering cost imposed through planning obligations meant the budget had to be carefully managed to ensure the best value at every stage.
Rural Solutions provided full contract administration services, overseeing the build to maintain quality and cost certainty. Value engineering became a key focus, with the team identifying savings through omissions, revised specifications, and design adjustments – while simultaneously preserving the building’s integrity.
Creative problem-solving also played a role. We switched the specification to include readily available treated timber studwork for exterior cladding, which significantly reduced costs without compromising quality.
From concept to creation
This project achieved exceptional value, and despite budget constraints, the result is a well-crafted, inviting space that guests can enjoy - and one that plays a key role in advancing British Naturism.
Read the full case study here.
Get in touch
Speak to us at any stage on your development journey, we’d love to hear from you. Email info@ruralsolutions.co.uk or call 01756 797501 for an informal chat.
Images (c) British Naturism
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