Leeds architects Group Ginger to design £600k wildlife viewing centre

Yorkshire Water has appointed Leeds-based architects Group Ginger to design a bespoke £600k wildlife viewing centre.

Despite its small proportions, the new bird hide will be the centre piece of the centre which is located at Tophill Low near Driffield, a 300-acre nature reserve that is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Tophill Low nature reserve, owned by Yorkshire Water, lies alongside the River Hull and is made up of a patchwork of woodland, marshland, grassland, and reservoirs, which during the course of the year are sanctuary for over 160 types of birds.

Due to open in summer 2017, the new viewing centre will feature elevated views over a reservoir teeming with bird life whilst hiding within the landscape.

The structure will include a ground level meeting room and educational area, storage spaces and outdoor seating area with viewing points on the floor above.

On the upper level a ‘Twitchers’ Hide’ will sit alongside a viewing gallery giving clear views across the reservoir.

The first floor viewing gallery will be heated when needed by a log burning stove, using wood harvested on site. The 10 metre long gallery will dominate the level, complete with telescopes and webcams broadcasting live scenes from the nature reserve.

Design elements that create visual contrasts around the building include large cantilevers that form a floating corner. These have been incorporated alongside natural building materials such as the cedar shingles that cover the roof and external walls which will weather consistently, in order that the structure becomes a natural fit in its environment.

The ground floor walls of the centre will be made from fibre cement board, with steep grassed and heavily planted banks as the retaining walls to blend into the surrounding terrain.

David Pogson, architect from Group Ginger commented: “This is the kind of brief that we love. No matter the scale, Yorkshire Water’s aspirations for the location – to create a natural and built environment for all – was one that we responded to; as we do with the grandest of projects: with enthusiasm, sensitivity and imagination.

“Our designs for Tophill Low make the deceptively small building, surrounding paths and wetland areas, completely accessible by changing the physical landscape, as well as creating a narrative for the multi-functional building.

“It’s rare that an entire wildlife reserve is DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant, which this will be, and we have gone above and beyond the initial requirements of the brief to make the site attractive, welcoming and inspirational to potential users of every kind. It has been a very rewarding scheme to work on and I believe we have tackled the challenges presented by the brief with intelligent, sympathetic design solutions, adding value to an important environment.”

The wildlife viewing centre will also add value to the nature tourism sector in East Yorkshire that generates around £15m a year, according to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

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