April 15, 2026 / By rachel
As part of our 40 projects for 40 years series, this is a project that reminds us that architecture is not always about buildings, but about helping people realise something deeply personal.
This is Week 6 of our 40 projects celebrating 40 years of RRA Architects.
This project began with a vision that had been decades in the making.
Our client had long held a passion for art, shaped by a life-changing experience many years earlier. During treatment for a serious illness, time spent in galleries provided both distraction and inspiration, sparking an idea that would stay with him for decades.
That idea was simple, but powerful, to create a space where others could experience art in the same way.
Years later, that vision became Canwood Farm Gallery.
Working as architects across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire, our role was to help transform a collection of existing agricultural buildings into a contemporary gallery and hospitality space, while retaining the character and setting of the original farm.
The challenge was to create a space that felt calm, welcoming and appropriate for the display of art, while still rooted in its rural context. The design carefully balances old and new, with modern interventions sitting comfortably alongside the existing structures. Natural light, simple forms and considered materials all play a part in creating an environment that allows the artwork, and the experience of visiting, to take centre stage.
What makes this project particularly special is the trust placed in us to deliver something that meant a great deal to the client. It was never just about creating a gallery, but about bringing a long-held ambition to life.
Now, as RRA Architects celebrates 40 years in practice, we are also marking 10 years of involvement with Fresh: Art Fair in Cheltenham. Over that time, our role has evolved, and we are proud to be returning again this year as Principal Partners. For 2026, to celebrate our 10 years with Fresh, we present a specially curated display, Built Perspectives, exploring the connection between art and architecture.
This year also marks a first for Canwood Gallery, which will be exhibiting at Fresh, bringing the story full circle and connecting the inspiration behind the project with a wider audience.
Projects like this are a reminder that architecture can be about much more than buildings. It can be about ideas, experiences and the impact they have on people. To see more visit our Canwood Gallery project page.
As our 40 projects for 40 years series continues, we will be sharing more projects that reflect the people and stories behind our journey.