Welney Wetlands Visitor Centre

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This visitor centre achieves the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's primary goal of improving physical accessibility to and public appreciation of the special ecological setting of the Welney Wetland. It has allowed the Trust to welcome a growing number of visitors and expand its education programme while making a positive contribution to its Fenland setting. This building provides a connection to birdwatching hides, contains exhibition and education space, office accommodation and a meeting room, shop and cafe. Visible across the open fenland in which it sits, its barn-like form and use of timber echoe the local agricultural vernacular.

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Tongue and groove boarding creates smoother surfaces where an outer timber 'skin' is cut to reveal the volume of the building

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Within the landscape of the Fens

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Context

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Footbridge over New Bedford River

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Cafe

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A timber 'skin' is folded over the volume and perforated to create physical and visual connections to the outside

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Plan organisational sketch

City
Norfolk, UK
Use
Education
Client
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
Status
Completed
Size
887 sqm
Awards

Civic Trust Awards Biodiversity Sensitivity Award 2007, RICS East Sustainability Award 2007, Green Apple Award for the Build Environment and Architectural Heritage 2007

Collaborators
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Structure: Arup

Services: Arup

Bridge engineer: Arup

Quantity surveyor: Davis Langdon

Project manager: Davis Langdon

Contractor: Kier Eastern

Landscape architect: Adams Habermehl

Photography: Dennis Gilbert/VIEW