TBT 2017 for our entry to the the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve🌿 Formed of three interconnected buildings, the new centre is conceived as a village at the heart of the reserve. Drawing from the assortment of structures that are scattered through the landscape. On approaching the building, it appears to grow from the landscape: the curved roof forms, echoing the wings of birds in flight, rise up from the surroundings, while the rammed earth walls and charred timber cladding are drawn from the land itself. A striking new gateway to the site, the building acts as a visual reference point for visitors and provides a rich sense of arrival. The spaces between the buildings will be planted with new biodiverse gardens, while also framing views and directing routes into the wider site, maximising the relationship of the centre’s users to the landscape and wildlife around them. Working in close collaboration with an ecologist, the scheme has been designed to support biodiversity, and to ensure that the buildings provide shelter for a wide array of animal and insect life. The rammed earth walls will be embedded with nesting tubes for solitary bees, and bird and bat boxes will be built into the charred timber upper level of the building. The building is a designed to be a natural companion to the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve: to complement it, support its biodiversity, and to serve and sustain the activities of the Kent Wildlife Trust. It is designed to invoke curiosity and discovery for all ages, encourage a greater appreciation of the flora and fauna of the reserve, and improving the wellbeing of all who visit and work there. See our website for more information (link in bio). #sustainablebuildings #architecturecompetition #if_do #rewilding #Sevenoaks #wildlifereserve Visual by the wonderful @forbesmassiestudio