The Sevenoaks Nature & Wellbeing Centre is a proposed visitor facility designed to encourage a deeper connection between people, wildlife, and the surrounding lake landscape.
The project creates a calm, immersive environment that encourages observation, learning, and wellbeing.
Set within a sensitive natural reserve, the centre adopts a light-touch approach. It minimises ground impact while maximising views across the lake and surrounding habitats.
Design Concept
The centre takes the form of two slender timber piers that extend through the landscape. These piers act as viewing platforms, offering new perspectives on the reserve. Together, they frame a generous central exhibition space and create a clear visual gateway into the site.
An upper level above the café provides elevated viewpoints. From here, visitors can experience the landscape from within the tree canopy.
Spatial Organisation
All main public facilities sit within single-storey volumes arranged along the two piers. Visitors access these spaces directly from natural ground level on the southern edge of the site. The piers pass carefully between existing trees, allowing close engagement with wildlife without disturbing habitats.
A separate building houses management and staff facilities to the east of the main centre. This structure follows the same architectural language to ensure visual coherence across the site.
Circulation & Experience
The project places strong emphasis on outdoor movement. Most circulation occurs externally, along the open decks of the piers. Deep overhanging eaves provide shelter while maintaining direct exposure to the landscape.
This strategy encourages visitors to remain connected to nature throughout their visit. It also reduces reliance on enclosed, mechanically serviced circulation spaces.
Structure & Materials
The buildings use a skeleton timber structure raised on stilts. This system limits ground contact and protects existing ecologies. FSC-certified timber forms the primary structural material, while charred timber cladding provides durability and low maintenance.
Profiled steel roofing completes the envelope and supports efficient off-site fabrication.
Sustainability Strategy
The project targets zero-carbon performance in both construction and operation. It relies on responsibly sourced timber, off-site prefabrication, and passive environmental strategies. Outdoor circulation further reduces energy demand for heating and ventilation.
Together, these measures align the building’s environmental footprint with the values of the nature reserve it serves.
Flexibility & Use
Each facility operates independently. The café, studios, exhibition spaces, and support areas can open or close as required. The decks also allow the café and main studio to expand outdoors during events or peak seasons.
This flexibility supports year-round use while adapting to changing operational needs.
Construction & Site Impact
The proposed location allows existing facilities to remain operational throughout construction. The design limits disruption to wildlife and habitats by using existing flat ground for access, construction, and parking.
By working with the landscape rather than against it, the centre establishes a respectful and enduring presence within the reserve.
Outcome
The Sevenoaks Nature & Wellbeing Centre proposes an architecture that feels light, open, and deeply connected to place. Through careful siting, timber construction, and outdoor movement, the project creates a welcoming gateway to nature — one that supports learning, wellbeing, and long-term ecological stewardship.
UK Green Building Council – sustainability and low-carbon building best practices.
FSC Timber Certification – for sustainable timber sourcing.
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve – link to region.
You must be logged in to post a comment.