NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The UK’s national Centre of Remembrance has been transformed to accommodate a dramatic increase in visitor numbers to the 150-acre site. 

A new gateway building houses a foyer, exhibition space, retail, cafe and learning centre and the existing timber visitor centre has been refurbished to accommodate a restaurant, function room, office and WCs. 

The sub-structure to the existing building has been retained and the timber frame superstructure re-used and extended. 

A central rotunda is constructed from vertical shell elements and enclosed by a circular, semi-glazed roof. The new superstructure consists of in-situ reinforced concrete slabs supported on vibro-stone columns, deployed as a ground improvement technique. 

Extensive pre-fabrication is used for the timber porticos and facades. The £15.7 million project increases the site’s capacity from 300,000 visitors to 500,000 visitors a year.