THE Sheep Field Barn at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens will re-open on 1 April 2026 following a major redevelopment by leading architecture and urban design practice DSDHA. The reimagined space, at the heart of Moore’s former home and work-place in Hertfordshire reflects the artist’s lifelong passion for art education.

For the first time, the renovated gallery will feature a dedicated presentation covering the remarkable story of Henry Moore’s life and work, celebrating his status as one of Britain’s greatest sculptors and most internationally influential artists. The presentation will draw on the Foundation’s exceptional holding of work by Moore as well as its unrivalled archive which places the artist as a key figure of the 20th century.

A changing exhibition programme will run alongside, launching with an important display of Moore’s world renowned Shelter Drawings. A new extension to the building provides state-of-the-art studios and learning facilities, supporting a dynamic programme of drop-in activities, creative events, talks, and tours for audiences of all ages.

This transformation will enable the Henry Moore Foundation to further deliver on Moore’s ambition to inspire future generations of art lovers, in an engaging, accessible environment.

“The redevelopment of the Sheep Field Barn will enable us to comprehensively introduce the artist’s life and work as never before. Drawing on our unrivalled collections and archives, the new facility will reveal all aspects of Moore’s creative journey through exceptional and rarely seen examples of his work.

This will greatly enhance our visitors’ experience of the artist’s house, his remarkable studios and the grounds amongst many of his monumental bronze sculptures. The new facility also frames Moore’s practice in his life-long commitment to the study of sculpture and his enthusiasm for others to learn about and engage with the subject. New dedicated learning spaces will enable visitors to enjoy a richer and more hands-on experience of a remarkable artist’s legacy in an inclusive and welcoming environment.”
Godfrey Worsdale OBE, Director of the Henry Moore Foundation

ARCHITECTURAL TRANSFORMATION

Originally a steel-frame farm building used for storage by Moore and later adapted by Hawkins\Brown in 1999, the barn has now been significantly transformed through a major extension designed by DSDHA and built by Rooff, doubling its footprint and reimagining its role as a space for creativity and learning.

The project introduces a wet and dry studio for making, filled with natural light through central roof lights, a lunchroom for schools and groups, a larger entrance and new mezzanine as well as upgraded exhibition spaces, accessible WCs and social areas.

The lunchroom and two studios have direct outdoor access, connecting visitors to the surrounding landscape, with sheep trough sinks to aid outdoor making – just as Moore did. Built entirely from a solid timber structure that sits lightly on steel screw piles and clad externally with reclaimed Silver Spruce Timber and internally by the building’s own repurposed panels, returned to their natural Douglas Fir finish, the extension combines sustainability with craft. Sheep’s wool insulation, triple-glazed windows, and an airtight envelope enhance energy efficiency, while an innovative roof of integrated solar panels generates power for the spaces, supported by ground source heat pumps to regulate the conditions of the gallery’s exhibition spaces.

“We are extremely proud to have delivered the retrofit of Sheep Field Barn at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, creating sustainable and energy-efficient galleries that, for the first time, can display the full range of Moore’s artistic processes and output on site. Highly flexible learning facilities uniquely engage with the surrounding landscape whilst spaces throughout the scheme pay homage to Moore’s approach to his own work and understanding of art in the wider world.

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens is an inspiring cultural destination to work within, and we hope our remodelling of Sheep Field Barn will continue to support the Foundation’s aspirations to make the work and home of Henry Moore accessible and open to new audiences, whilst also demonstrating the potential of retrofit to push the limits of sustainable and low-carbon design and material circularity.”

Deborah Saunt, Founding Director at DSDHA