A Journey of Creativity and Connection: Designing and building the Rural Roaming Room, Lle Llais

Lle Llais is an innovative mobile space, a key feature of the Public Map Platform project, and serves as the focal point for a series of workshops held on Ynys Môn during the summer of 2024. Designed and built by architects of Pearce+ and Invisible Studio, this project embodies creativity, community, and the spirit of collaboration.

The journey began with a co-design workshop at Canolfan Ucheldre in Holyhead, where Pearce+, Lean Structures, Onion Collective, and Invisible Studio teamed up with local children. Through shared drawings, model-making, discussions, play, and hands-on creation, they wove a canopy of ideas and materials. Over two days, they envisioned a space fostering a brighter future, where dialogue and creativity flourish.

The team’s proposal combined a flexible, intricate design inspired by Ynys Môn's rich prehistoric monuments. These range from solitary standing stones to clusters and burial chambers. Lle Llais seeks to emulate the intrigue and sacredness of these ancient structures through five lattice wooden looms of varying scales. These looms can be rotated and uniquely positioned for each Public Mapping Event, placed by volunteers and discovered by the public, encouraging exploration and engagement.

Travelling across Ynys Môn, Lle Llais visits diverse ecosystems, incorporating materials—both waste and natural—collected and woven into the looms. This process of collective making breaks down social barriers and sparks conversations that might not happen otherwise.

Various design iterations were considered, but the final design features five looms, each fitting into a flatbed trailer. The looms all follow the same structural principle, with five steam-bent and laminated ribs linked by laths of varying depths. These ribs terminate in a steel structure with wheels, allowing easy movement. Each loom can be lifted into a vertical position, with the largest standing almost six metres tall. Bolted into place, the ribs have eyebolts for ropes, flags, drawings, and bunting created during workshops.

Pearce+ and Invisible Studio share a passion for experimental ‘design and build’ processes, pushing the boundaries of design through making techniques. They developed the design concept and construction techniques simultaneously, encouraging individualism and self-determination among those involved. For instance, four different members of the team placed the asymmetrical laths, each with different priorities: structural rigidity, simplicity, and public interaction. This autonomy led to unique and varied looms.

A computational model helped position, size, and coordinate the looms. Each rib’s curvature was meticulously adjusted to fit snugly onto the trailer, meeting structural requirements and looking visually appealing. Detailed drawings provided cutting lists and templates for each rib, guiding the team as they steamed and laminated the wood.

In rural Herefordshire, the team gathered at Pearce+’s workshop, using a sheep barn for assembly. They selected suitable ash boards from Whitney Sawmills, chosen for its straight grain and consistent density, making it ideal for steam bending. Each rib required four laths, glued together as laminations, processed to achieve a smooth finish ready for steaming and bending.

Jigs were made to the correct radius, and an insulated steaming box was built to reach and maintain 100 degrees Celsius. Larger pieces required longer steaming times to become pliable. After steaming, the laths were bent and clamped in position, set aside to dry before the next steaming. Once dry, each rib was sanded, routed, and finished with natural oil.

The metalwork, fabricated by Morrish in Tiverton, was made from 5mm mild steel and sprayed with red oxide paint. Assembly began with fitting the wheels and sliding each rib into the metalwork. The laths were bolted into place, and the trailer was modified for secure transportation.

For the largest loom, a covering was needed. Discarded and old sails were stitched and modified into a unique covering, protecting visitors from the elements. The team collaborated with costume designer Isabelle Fraser to create this covering, secured in place with washers and eyebolts.

Pearce+ is an experimental studio weaving together architecture, land art, and collective making. Their work is defined by the process rather than the final product, viewing making as a journey of learning and betterment. Collaboration is key.

Lle Llais will travel across Ynys Môn, collecting memories, hopes, and heritage, thanks to the hardworking hands and colourful characters who shaped this project. Initially a collaboration between Pearce+, Invisible Studio, and Lean Structures, it also involved the computational design of Shahe Gregorian, sail-manipulation expertise of Isabelle Fraser, steam-bending skills of Joe Dickson, unrelenting labour of Tim Lyddon, and wisdom of Ken Pearce. Guided by Flora Samuel, Caitlin Shepherd, Alec Shelpey, and Tristan Evans, this open collaborative process brought Lle Llais to life.