Sevenoaks Nature Centre
Sevenoaks, Kent
2020
A campus of timber buildings in a woodland setting.
The visitor centre site in the Sevenoaks Nature Reserve in Kent, offering key messaging about the reserve, nature more generally, health and wellbeing. Providing a base from which to explore the wider reserve.
RIBA Competition entry
The proposal was our submisison for the Kent Wildlife Trust and RIBA competition: Sevenoaks Nature and Wellbeing Centre.
Passive low energy and low embodied carbon buildings
The buildings are built from timber frames, wrapped in burnt cedar slats and shingles, designed using passive design principles; they are off-grid, using solar panels and ground source heat pumps for energy; naturally breathing low energy buildings which harmonise them with their natural setting.
A string of buildings accessed from a shared landscape walk
The centre is made up of a series of large ‘hide’ buildings which sit staggered within the landscape and provide vantage points to the surrounding lakes and woods.
Inspired by ‘hide’ structures of the reserve
The buildings mediate between people and the nature reserve beyond - shielding from the elements whilst also protecting the wildlife beyond. They are modelled on the hide structures dotted around the nature reserve. Designed to hide the people inside from the reserve. Simple timber structures with small openings and focussed views.