Sandilands, UK,
2024 - 2026
National Trust Appointment
Sensitive Coastal Site
Conception to Completion in 2 Years
Introduction
Jonathan Hendry Architects were appointed by the National Trust to design and oversee the construction of a new visitor centre at Sandilands on the site of a former Golf Club club house, following an invited competition and to house a cafe, offices, kitches, community spaces, changing and restroom facilities and more. The site is part of a new 30 hectare wetland centre bringing over 150,000 visitors a year to the area, the visitor centre and amenity block anchoring the site and creating a gateway entrance to the area. More on the project can be seen here.
Project
Transforming the site of the former Sandilands golf course clubhouse into a dedicated visitor centre for the National Trust, 30-hectare wetland nature reserve, at its heart the visitor centre and café provide a place for visitors and the local community to gather throughout the year, while offering shelter, orientation and a clear point of arrival to the reserve.
Attaining A+ EPC rating using sustainable construction methods and materials, on-site energy generation and efficient air source heat pumps, the building is believed to be the most energy efficient in the National Trust portfolio. Designed for an expected 75,000 visitors in the first full year and climbing to 150,000 in the future, the building offers a cafe, kitchen, community spaces, offices, sanitary facilities and Bancilliary areas as well as new car parking, landscaping and outdoor furniture.
Achieved conception to completion within 2 years, including concept design, developed and technical design, tendering documentation and contract administration; maintaining continuity and integrity throughout delivery on a sensitive and constrained coastal site. Transformation has been supported by local partners, including Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and RSPB, community groups and volunteers Project supported by £2 million of Towns Fund investment through Connected Coast via East Lindsey District Council, £1.5 million from National Highways and £200,000 through the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, delivered by East Lindsey District Council.
A Natural Gateway
The National Trust acquired the 2km stretch of coastline in March 2020, thanks to a generous donation from a supporter who asked for the funds to be invested in Lincolnshire, alongside support from the Trust's Neptune Coastline Campaign, marking the conservation charity's first coastal land acquisition in the county. Visitors to the site will experience the changing rhythms of nature throughout the year. In summer, the wetlands will come alive with dragonflies, bees and butterflies, while the distinctive calls of avocets echo overhead. During winter, the reserve will offer opportunities to witness the arrival of whooper swans, wigeons and brent geese as they journey from their Icelandic and Norwegian breeding grounds to spend the colder months on the Lincolnshire coast.
Visitors to the site will experience the changing rhythms of nature throughout the year. In summer, the wetlands will come alive with dragonflies, bees and butterflies, while the distinctive calls of avocets echo overhead. During winter, the reserve will offer opportunities to witness the arrival of whooper swans, wigeons and brent geese as they journey from their Icelandic and Norwegian breeding grounds to spend the colder months on the Lincolnshire coast. To frame this, the primary entrance through to the park, between the two flanks of the visitor centre and offices, is clad and framed in warm timber, a contrast to the exterior of the building and inviting the occupant through, revealing the landscape.
