Sevenoaks Nature Centre

IIn late 2017, the Kent Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with the RIBA, initiated an international design competition for a new Nature & Wellbeing Centre at the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. Our design narrative draws inspiration from the legacy of William Kent (1685-1748), a pioneer in British landscape design who favored naturalistic landscapes over rigid geometries, reminiscent of the romantic ruins found in Tivoli Gardens. The Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, a man-made landscape converted from a gravel pit by the Harrison family, echoes this tradition, shaping our vision for the project as a contemporary found object, blending seamlessly with its surroundings.

Our concept manifests through a series of interconnected monolithic cubes, harmoniously proportioned using the Golden Ratio, adorned with arched openings to evoke a timeless allure. The materiality of the building reflects its gravel pit origins, featuring insitu concrete with exposed gravel aggregate, imbuing the structure with robust solidity and a serene ambiance. The main Visitor Centre, with its square footprint, offers panoramic views of the western lake while encircling a walled courtyard, paying homage to the Kentish tradition of enclosed gardens.

• Location: Sevenoaks, Kent

• Client: Kent Wildlife Trust

• Value: £2million

• Status: Competition