PiM.studio's visitor center for sevenoaks natural reserve in kent acts as an ecosystem

the sevenoaks natural reserve’s new visitor center building proposed by PiM.studio in kent, UK aims to create harmony with the surrounding nature in a 2-way integration. on one hand, the project engages with the surrounding space by opening itself toward the outside — the lake and nature — through a large outdoor lake terrace and an outdoor studio to the north. on the other, the design team seeks to integrate nature into the building by maximizing opportunities for the reserve’s flora and fauna to ‘use’ the building as part of the natural environment.

the new visitor center building proposed by PiM.studio aims to create harmony with the surrounding nature

by designing different typologies of interstitial spaces all around the building skin, london based practice PiM.studio encourages small animals such as birds and bats to make the building their home. similarly, the roof design naturally encourages the growth of moss on its surface and this will contribute to create a building which also acts as an ecosystem.

the project engages with the surrounding space by opening itself toward the outside — the lake and nature

a simple triangular timber structure — a roof with varying pitches — elegantly creates a shelter for all the required functions for PiM.studio’s visitor center in a simple yet flexible manner. the layout is organized in two levels — ground and mezzanine — with the main program in the ground floor, facing the lake, and additional functions which benefit from being more independent — treatment room, office, exhibition area — in the upper level. to maximize flexibility all the spaces will be provided with an external access allowing each space to work independently.

the design team seeks to integrate nature into the building

PiM.studio seeks to develop details and solutions that will be robust and that will minimize maintenance through time. particularly on the external skin and roof, the architects will aim at developing a design that will not require to be maintained ‘as new’ always, but that will age naturally and beautifully, which will not only reduce maintenance but will also integrate much better with the environment. maximizing the use of natural materials will play a key role in creating a low maintenance building able to live in harmony with the nature. locating the management facilities center as an independent building will help maintaining a secure area for staff and management vehicles and goods. a simple vehicular circulation with a one-way loop road will facilitate a clear traffic management for the visitor center.

master plan

the project team aims at developing a design as sustainable as possible with very low carbon footprint. a highly energy efficient envelope will contribute to reduce the energy consumption of the building. also, the architects will use low energy consumption systems as much as possible, will produce energy from renewable sources — photovoltaic, geothermal, water collection and rain water re-use and practice high energy efficiency — heat pumps, radiant panels –, aiming to obtain a near zero energy building certification.

visitor center and management facility floor plan

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edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom