95 Greencroft Gardens, London NW6 3PG, UK
project image
New Visitors Centre for Brockholes Wetland (2007)
Preston, UK
The new visitor centre at Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Nature Reserve is a “renewable-energy-landscape carpet” with a visitor centre and car parking. The landscape carpet is a seamless architectural device to camouflage the various required spaces without distracting from the wildlife and nature. These continuous strips of grass-planted trees-asphalt graciously lead visitors directly to the main entrance of the visitor facilities; the asphalt covered man-made landscape also acts as a solar energy collector. The sloped surface allows continuous and unrestricted access to the roof of the visitor centre. There are big picnic areas with great-elevated views of Brockholes, and large punctured light-wells for views into the internal spaces below. From the roof area, the landscape carpet ramps downwards along its length inviting visitors onto the grassed quarry edge to experience the tranquillity of the wetlands.