URN: V0202
The Great Fen Visitor Centre Design Statement
We have considered the new visitor centre as the primary focal point for the Great Fen and its associated activities. We conceive the elements of the brief as a deconstructed cluster of striking, ‘hovering’, thatch forms that are raised within the landscape and orientated to achieve 360° connection with the unique and evolving surrounding wetland fen. The scheme sensitively correlates historic references with a modern vernacular interpretation, bringing a new layer of meaning to the manmade landscape ‘artifice’ that is the Great Fen. We see the visitor centre and direct site as a microcosm of the wider Great Fen. Visitors to the site should be able to have a taste of the wider environment. As such the scheme proposes introductions of multiple habitats and a new body of water directly associated with the new buildings. Our assembled team has direct experience of working on similar projects in fenland environments as well as experience working collaboratively both with each other and with clients that have similar requirements. Members of our team also have direct experience working locally to the site. We have a strong track record for design stimulated by high quality consultation and an ability to work with both our clients and end-users directly. Our team similarly has significant experience in helping clients raise funds for such projects. The following pages of the document further set out initial responses to the brief and our design intent. We have organised the document so that it directly responds to the brief requirement section by section.
Perspective view looking North: Visitor centre with surrounding water body an arrival path to the right
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The Great Fen Visitor Centre Development of the Site We want to bring the outside in and blur the boundary of building and landscape. The visitor centre buildings are sited on elevated ground to the north of the assigned plot and surrounded by a newly formed body of water so as to make a direct and enhanced connection. The new wetland has been introduced into the landscape to control water levels. Sloping contours gently raise the platform of the site to a 2m height above ground, ensuring views and a strong connection to the surroundings.
Brief site development boundary
Wa fro ter ac m nor cess th
Seasonal wet grassland habitat Fen habitat
Reed bed habitat Land access from south
Raised ground and living willow terracing
ind
gw
re
rp
nte
Wi
lin vai
Willow poppies with viewing corridors
P
N
Grassland
B660
me Sum
r
d win ing l i a v pre
Low embankment making trace of former railway
Visitor exploration route Bog habitat
P
Woodland scrub habitat
Coach parkingvv
Attempts have been made to preserve and continue the legacy of the site. Memories of the old railway track and surrounding bunds are reinstated within the landscape, encouraging visitors to explore the land through a foot and cycle paths.
New site access and entrance
The use of natural locally sourced thatch should ensure a building material that will be pleasing to the eye and an external home to local wildlife. It will also contribute culturally and economically to the local economy. We have considered the parking to the southern boundary set within a freeform and naturalistic landscape that discretely conceals views from the site, visitor centre and beyond.
Woodland car parking and overspill to adjacent land
Hides Mobility aid external storage and external stores Woodland planting around parking Fendland edge grassland habitat
Old road access blocked off
sunpath
Sensitively sited with regard to unformed landscape, hides can be located on a free flowing explorative route around the larger expanse of the site.
Aerial birds-eye view looking from South-East
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The Great Fen Visitor Centre Development of the Building
Great Fen Visitor Centre
Camera obscura
Water body
Room Type
Area (m²)
Subtotals
Internal
Area 2: Cafe
Area 1: Entrance shop and Exhibition
External arrival
External play
Pedestrian route
Area 3: Meeting and Education
Area 4: Offices
AREA 1 Entrance Reception area Exhibition space Shop Storage - Shop Public lavatories
45 50 40 8 30
173
AREA 2 Tea room Kitchen Kitchen storage Servery
85 28 13 13
139
AREA 3 Assembly meeting room Storage - assembly room use Kitchenette WCs (M&F Disabled) Storage - clean
50 6 6 5 6
73
AREA 4 Office- Catering Office- Staff Staff room Staff lavatories
6 12 15 7
40
Subtotal
Mobility access and external store
425
Circulation and plant etc. 12%
51
Principle access
Total internal
476
Externals Storage - outdoor Accessibility (unheated building enclosure) Storage - Vehicle and external (unheated building enclosure) Camera Obsura and Pier Decking around building and Café Car park: 100 cars, 7 coaches, 10% overflow Arrival road and access to centre
1. Accommodation
See Plan See Plan
Indicative Accommodation Schedule
Strategic Organisational Diagram
2. Lift
1.
3. Divide 2.
4. 3.
4. Split
5. Profile
Conceptual Diagram: Generation of formal architectural language
25 30 30 200
6. Connect
51
We anticipate the new centre as being designed to serve a host of different visitors as set out in the briefing documents. By slightly elevating the main building within the flat fenland landscape, our proposal ensures an ideal viewing post for those interested in landscape, wildlife or habitats, as well as the centre becoming easily locatable from the road and surrounding environments. Our response to the brief proposes a series of defined architectural spaces interlinked with circulation. This strategy allows the mass of the building to be broken down and functions defined into unique spaces. Furthermore this strategy allows for phased development should it be required. Internally, the building provides: • A secure but welcoming entrance, which visitors are lead up to through a direct path visible from the carpark, offering a sheltered element on arrival. • The reception area is the principal arrival point for all visitors. A clear, functional orientation space, which visitors from water as well as by foot will enter on the north and south approaches of the site. Here, visitors will be readily able to decide where to explore next. The space is sized to cater for the arrival of large groups but not as large or open as to feel unwelcoming or cold. The reception leads into a flexible exhibition space for wildlife and heritage displays. The centre shop and its associated service areas are located within the extended reception building and in clear view of shop contents from the surrounding modules. • A bright and open tea room is easily accessed from the Reception Area. The tea room operates as a self-service facility with a variety of table sizes and layouts, initially for 40 covers, with the potential to expand to 60. The space offers views out to the wider surrounding area as well as an outdoor decked experience of dining over the water’s edge. Here, the viewer will feel a part of the landscape from within the building. A servery and space for two till points is envisaged, as well as a catering standard kitchen and store with direct access for deliveries via the carpark. • The educational suite and meeting room to the front of the building will accommodate visits from school children to “third age” learners, primarily supporting education in heritage and ecology. A small kitchen within the room as well as dedicated storage provides space for a host of activities. Direct access to lavatories is provided. • The Staffroom is designed as a comfortable room. • The ‘dirty’ vehicle store is held at the base of the site near the carpark, allowing for a minimal impact on the optimisation of views, whilst allowing limited vehicle access to the buildings. • the public lavatories and shower cubicles are located within the sheltered circulation spaces of building to allow for access while the rest of the centre may be closed. External Features • A Periscopic Camera Obscura tower projects out onto the lake as a peer. This allows for access to the centre by boat (initially on small craft and perhaps later by water taxi as the Great Fen develops). • The play area is a mini-microcosm of the fen landscape, as well as a great family orientated attraction integrating wet play for a unique selling point. • The contoured landscape serves as external natural ‘furniture’ for sitting, reclining and resting. The outdoor decking provides flat, dry and sturdy flooring for a rest and contrast from the exciting wet and undulating landscape visitors will go out to explore.
Axonometric massing Diagram of Visitor Centre
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Pedestrian footpath and existing vehicle track
Boat access
Periscopic camera obscura
Pier
External decking
Cafe
Reed thatch roof
Entrance and reception
Covered external arrival area
Education and meeting
The Great Fen Visitor Centre Relationship to Landscape
Route through landscape
Live willow terracing
Direct access and connection to water
Arrival path from parking
Wet external play
Water is an important element introduced to the site for recreation as well as a means of access. This adds excitement and discovery to the arrival experience whilst enabling a direct and meaningful connection to the wetland environment for all who visit the centre. Learning through play and discovery is an important part of our wetland play area.
Excavated water body
360º views out to landscape
We have suggested a camera obscura ‘periscopic-tower’ that provides further extended views across the site and emerging Great Fen to the north; as well as viewing platforms and hides dotted in the landscape to connect, familiarise and landmark the site for all visitors of different ages and accessibility requirements. The aim is to encourage exploration further out into the fen, slowly drawing visitors into the unfamiliar, fostering a sense of intrigue and wonder from the main station of the visitor centre.
Micro-piles supporting structure above
Diagrammatic Sectional Perspective through centre and landscape 1. Willow terracing 2. Camera obscura 3. Wet play 4. Contoured landscape to explore
Our response to landscape creates a new artifice drawing both on the historic aspects of the site as well as enabling the centre’s surroundings to function as a microcosm of the wider Great Fen. Elements within or on the exterior of the building will attract wildlife; In controlled conditions the thatch work can provide bat hibernaculum and roosting areas. Similarly other nesting sites can be established for birds and other wildlife around the visitor centre and into the surrounding habitats.
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3.
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The Great Fen Visitor Centre Materials
Insulated sheathed timber roof soffit
Prefabricated timber framing
Sloping reed thatch roof covering on further insulation and membrane
Modern thatch: We have chosen materials and methods of construction that are striking, sensitive and sustainable. Thatched roofing can be spotted on approach up to the fens through the villages of Ramsey and St Mary’s; striking a resonance with local heritage and methods of construction, as thatch has endured here for centuries and adds to a local vernacular special to the area the Fens are located within. This material could be sourced locally; easy to access and supply. Timber construction: It is proposed that the building be constructed principally of timber. This is both sustainable and allows for a high degree of offsite fabrication to reduce costs and time on site. Indigenous timber has a small carbon footprint and is renewable. It is proposed that there be a large amount of glazing to facilitate views to and connection with the landscape. A ‘ribbon’ of glazing at ground level will make thatched roofs appear to ‘float’. All Glazing will be high thermal performance glazing.
1.
Live willow terraced landscape
Foundations: It is envisaged that the ‘lightweight’ timber framed building will be supported on a matrix of small, helical screw-piles foundations that have a low impact on the environment and are easy and economical to install. This will slightly elevate the deck and floor level above the natural raised ground that will be elevated by means of terraced banked soil/spoil from the excavated water course. This is a method the design team members have used in similarly sensitive wetland environments.
2.
The construction process will contribute to community engagement and the delivery of socio-economic benefit, building a sustainable community as well as sustainable building technology. There is potential to hone local skill sets and knowledge from community groups to be involved with the construction, especially for thatch work, which locals often maintain on the rooftops of their own houses. Apprenticeship schemes can be run alongside the construction process. All materials can be sourced and delivered locally or regionally, with good connection from the site feeding into the main infrastructure so that the Great Fen delivers direct benefit to the local economy. 1. Modern thatch project ‘Living on the Edge’ by Arjen Reas 2. Basic timber frame construction
3.
3. Decked flooring 4. Micropile helical screw pile foundations
Insulated glazing to perimeter
Internal exposed timber finishes throughout
Raised ground formed by water body excavation
Primary timber frame and deck Fully insulated timber deck level slightly elevated from the ground
Micropile helical screw pile foundations
4.
Sectional Perspective: Illustrative construction methodology and materials
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The Great Fen Visitor Centre Sustainability
1.
2.
It is envisaged that the building will be highly insulated in the winter months as a result of the materials used therefore requiring less energy to heat. In summer months it is anticipated that the large volume spaces will support a natural ventilation strategy to passively cool and ventilate the spaces by stack effect. Furthermore summer overhearing will be minimised by the overhang of the thatch and external solar shading.
By implementing the latest green technology and construction methods for locally sourced materials we envisage the visitor centre being an exemplar of sustainability both in construction and use. We would propose targeting a high BREEAM rating for the project. We see the choice of building materials as critical to achieving a building with a low carbon footprint and the use of timber and thatch (in a modern vernacular) will result in a building that requires less embodied energy to construct. The majority of the materials will also be fully recyclable or compostable.
3.
1. Ground source heat pumps installed at Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College 2. Solar panels on modern thatch roofing 3. Reed bed waste water treatment system
The use of reed beds to recycle grey water, geothermal energy, small scale wind turbines and PV solar panels ensure onsite treatment of waste as well as the generation of electricity and energy with the potential to sell any surplus to the National Grid. Further to this it is possible to incorporate a biomass boiler that is fuelled by a demonstration project within the Great Fen exploiting the past growing speed of harvested willow or fuel. These renewables will form an important part of the project and will have to be priorities as to their delivery within any phased development of the site. Clearly some renewables can be retrofitted while others need to be integrated from the outset.
By orientating the building appropriately and opening up each space for ample daylight during operational hours, the design seeks to minimise operating costs of the building in use; ensuring the building has a minimal carbon footprint. This will passively be a learning experience in sustainable living for all visitors. Camera obscura
New water body and wetland habitat
High thermal performance natural thatch
Natural ventilation through ‘stack effect’
Thatch overhang
Solar glass Photovoltaic solar and solar hot water
Microwind turbines
Geothermal ground source heating system set below excavated water body
Sectional Diagram: Environment and Sustainability
Solar shading to south Micropile helical screw pile foundations
Grey-water recycling through demonstration natural reed bed
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The Great Fen Visitor Centre Accessibility
1:200 access to visitor centre from pier
Our proposal is fully accessible to all and complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and Building Regulations Part M. Every aspect of the design has been developed with full regard to the varying needs of the building’s users; including platforms, flooring and associated ramps suitable for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs. In short our building and site will be barrier free. All surfaces will be accessible to able bodied, wheelchair, and mobility aid users throughout.
Woodland concealed car parking
Mobility aids and external storage
New entrance from main road
1:20 ramped access to visitor centre from pier
P
Accessible visitor exploration route
Main ro
ad B66
P
0
Arrival by private car and coach is accommodated for (100 cars, 7 coaches, together with provision of informal overflow parking). To avoid conflict with vehicles and the visitor centre requirements for a degree of tranquil isolation we have considered the siting or mobility aid storage close to the carpark. Access from the carpark to the visitor centre is evenly grated 1:200 incline and hard surfaced so that it is easily accessible to all while concealing the parking naturally within the wider site.
Woodland coach carparking
Deliveries and visitors requiring specific redirect drop off at the centre can be accommodated on the same access path. On arrival at the centre all activities and function are on one level. Access form the watercourse pier (and camera obscura) to the north are accessible by a 1:20 ramp.
Visitor centre
As well as the direct connection the landscape form the visitor centre and ‘visually’ to the extent of the Great Fen to the north (via the camera obscura tower to the north) this is provision for clear and safe walking routes and cycle routes as well as waterways that link into the wider Masterplan. We envisage these pathways being a mixture of decked and compressed local chalk or aggregate to allow for access to the full variety of environments and hides within the broader landscape.
Water access to centre from north
The routes utilise and built-upon existing infrastructure wherever possible, but do include an upgraded access from the B660 to provide safe access to and from the site. The existing access road within the site is exploited as the lead up to the visitor centre and the east west vehicle track to the north of the defined site area is incorporated into the circulatory route throughout the landscape and can be connected into and future footpaths of the Great Fen.
New water body with boat access
1.
1. Decked walkways extended over the water’s edge 2. Crushed chalk paths 3. Grass paths 4. Bicycle paths 5. Walk ways
2. 4.
Future potential for water taxi access
5.
Existing footpath and vehicle access retained
3.
Aerial Diagram of site from North West: Accessibility
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The Great Fen Visitor Centre Adaptability and Phasing
Axonometric diagram showing proposed configurations and indicative alternative rearrangement option
A modular approach has been taken to ensure the building accommodates changes in services it provides as demand will develop once resources allow; this expansion is integrated well into the design aesthetic.
Key 5.
Taking the shifting and evolving nature of the landscape into account, the buildings offer a continuous line of vision opening each module onto the site, with decking extending out of the sheltered spaces to serve as a platform for further exploration. Bird watchers will find these particularly tempting areas to occupy and observe the landscape from, with tea served in the cafe behind and a nearby play area for children to explore within the site.
Offices 1. Education suite
2. 4.
Cafe 3. Camera obscura
It is envisaged that subject to detailed design development the concept of a ‘cluster’ of functional spaces (set around a common deck) can be adapted to suit client specific preferences. Furthermore the nature of the shell of each space can be refined to be more or less function-specific so as to tailor the future adaptability of the scheme.The ‘cluster’ concept further enhances the viability of a phased development. By having series of independent volumes that are interconnected by circulation will mean that key spaces could be constructed while further fundraising is sought to complete the project. Thereby enabling earlier occupation of the site.
Reception and exhibition space Internal circulation corridors
5.
Similarly construction methodology of micro-piles and timber framing mean that these can be done easily and non-invasively at any time. Because the timber framework is on a modular gird it is anticipated that spaces can easily be extended in future should this be required. In considering the adaptability as set out above we have closely considered the likely construction methodology. We envisage creating the raised earthworks (to form the earth embankments with live willow retaining elements) at the start of the project as a by-product of the lake excavation. From this point micro-piles screwed into the existing site ground and primary timber framing for the deck and building decks set in place. The prefabricated frames are erected and glazed/thatched building envelope installed on site.
2. 1. 3. 4.
Should existing or early fund receipts permit it is considered that much of the enabling landscape work could be done early in the process so as to benefit from planting small cheaper sapling trees and plants that can establish over time, allowing the landscape elements to ‘bed in’.
Indicative phasing diagram Construction sequence diagram
Cut and Fill: excavate water body and use spoil to create raised ground
Piling and Deck: Insert Piles and build deck
Inhabit: Assemble pre-fabricated frame and fit building envelope
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
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The Great Fen Visitor Centre Preliminary Cost Appraisal BUILDING WORKS BUDGET
GREAT FEN - VISITOR CENTRE
SECTION
DESCRIPTION
QTY UNIT
RATE £
COST £
TOTAL £
PRELIMINARIES General preliminaries Fixed costs Time related
1 40
Item nr
10000 3300
10,000 132,000 142,000.00
DEMOLITIONS AND ALTERATIONS Allowance for demolition and removal of existing buildings (excluded = by others)
0
item
0
0 -
MAIN BUILDINGS Entrance / Reception / Exhibition / Shop / Public WC's Tea room Cafe / Kitchen / Store / Servery Assembly meeting / Storage / Kitchenette / WC's Offices / Staff / Staff WC's Circulation
173 139 73 40 51
m2 m2 m2 m2 m2
2100 2100 2100 2100 2100
363,300 291,900 153,300 84,000 107,100 999,600.00
MINOR BUILDINGS External storage (unheated) Camera obscura tower and pier
55 1
m2 Nr
550 25000
30,250 25,000 55,250.00
EXTERNAL WORKS Entrance / access road
Access Road to new car park area (excluded =by others)
Car park area
Car park for 100 cars and 7 coaches Overflow car park (10%) Embarking point, buggy/bike storage Landscaping and planting
Pedestrian access
Decking
Features
0
m2
0
0
-
5200 520 1 2500
m2 m2 nr m2
32 32 10000 15
166,400 16,640 10,000 37,500
230,540.00
Access path Railings to access path / embankment (excluded)
600 0
m2 m
30 250
18,000 0
18,000.00
Timber decking / supports around buildings and cafe Railings to areas of decking
200 100
m2 m
180 250
36,000 25,000
61,000.00
12000 11500
m3 m3
5 5
60,000 57,500
117,500.00
1
item
20000
20,000
Formation of unlined, natural lake, (circa 10,000 m2) Embankment for access path and main building platform
DRAINAGE BELOW GROUND Allowance
20,000.00 EXTERNAL SERVICES
Allowance
1
item
20000
20,000 20,000.00
SUB TOTAL
1,663,890.00
CONTINGENCY General allowance design development / unknowns
10%
166,389.00
TOTAL SCHEME ENHANCEMENTS Larger area of lake Pathways and cycle routes Willow coppice Children's play area Embankment Larger area of landscaping Feature areas
£1,830,279.00 Options Formation of unlined, natural lake, (plus 20,000 m2) Cycle and footpaths Viewing corridors Mini Fen Marking trace of former railway Landscaping and planting Spilling banks
24000 500 1 1 1 5000 500
m3 m2 item item Item m2 m2
5 50 5000 50000 20000 15 120
120,000 25,000 5,000 50,000 20,000 75,000 60,000
This design solution will be within a project budget of £2m excluding VAT. With its focus on social and technological sustainability, the proposed design solution and construction process will inspire potential donors. This high level budget is based on the information contained in this report and information obtainable form the brief at this stage. The initial cost analysis set opposite propose a design consisting of three principal elements: Main Building Works, Car Parking and Access Track, and External Works. Further items have been identified and listed separately below the line, to enhance the scheme and could be added to the proposal as part of the wider long term objective. All works can be undertaken by local contractors. The Net sum of cost excludes the professional fees that have been set out in the brief and clarification questions. Main Building Works Individual linked single storey structures of varying heights, built from natural materials, timber framed, with areas of glazed fenestration for viewing purposes, with minimal but appropriate internal fit-out. Costs are based on a grid of timber beams to provide a base deck, founded on micro piles driven into the underlying subsoil to support all the buildings, plus the adjoining perimeter decking/landing areas. (cost risks exist at this stage pending structural design development). It is anticipated that 25% of the build budget will be available for the services elements incorporating as much affordable renewable technology as appropriate. Costs include for locally sourced materials to be used for external cladding and roof finishes. Car Parking and Access Track Basic site stripped and hoggin topped earth compacted areas. External lighting excluded. External Works Lake feature, to be used for geo thermal grid. Initial areas of landscaping and planting included. Costs are based on the following: • Base costs as at January 2013, with no allowance included for future inflation • Based on an assumed 40 week building programme • Gross internal floor area of main buildings : 476m2 • Lower eave heights of 5.00m • Incoming services - assumed all in place serving existing buildings Exclusions: • Additional work following completion of further formal surveys • Unidentified abnormal or contaminated ground • Contractor design fees • Temporary accommodation • Decanting and transition costs • Upgrading existing incoming services • Any issues relating to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 • Removal of invasive plants • Sprinkler system • Client supplied loose furniture and equipment including AV • Section 106 payments • Cl:aire Protocol works • Further professional and survey fees • Legal costs and charges • VAT
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The Great Fen Visitor Centre Design Team Vision It is the vision of our assembled design team to create a unique, enchanting and endearing place for people to visit and experience the Great Fen. We see our proposal as a bold and defining statement that will draw attention and interest to the area and delight for those who visit. At the same time the proposal draws on the deep rooted traditions, history, and architectural vernacular of the East Anglian Fens rooting it to it’s place in this ephemeral landscape. We see our proposal as creating a microcosm of the Great Fen and as a catalyst for curiosity that will entice exploration of the wider wetlands. As such we believe that our proposal encapsulates the key aims of this wider project: “To create a new resilient fenland landscape which delivers major wildlife and heritage benefits and achieves high standards of sustainability in all respects.” “To create an accessible, inspiring and tranquil environment for recreation, education, health and wellbeing.” “To contribute to diversification and development of the local economy, consistent with environmental and social objectives.” “To plan, design and manage the Great Fen to benefit climate change adaption and mitigation”
Perspective view looking East: Dusk
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