Walmer Castle and Gardens Learning Centre

by Adam Richards Architects

Client English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund

Awards RIBA South East Award 2021, RIBA National Award 2021

This project was shortlisted for the 2021 Stephen Lawrence Prize

This understated, well-detailed building fits a huge amount into a small space. Brickwork and the shape of windows reflect the neighbouring historic buildings, and an old greenhouse is reused as part of this development. Good consideration is given to the use of the spaces; they are comfortable and practical issues like storage are well considered.

This collection of small buildings has been carefully positioned using existing sightlines, and is almost unnoticeable behind the existing tree when viewed from the Tudor fortress. This compact scheme achieves a big task of providing a comfortable and engaging space for education for all kind of users and age groups through the architect’s careful and considerate multi-function design features.

This project offers delightful little surprises everywhere; changing ceiling heights responding to the functions and volumes of the spaces, unobstructed views from carefully aligned windows providing visual connectivity to the gardener’s shed, or the seated gathering space formed from the cleverly-detailed concrete base of the building. The form of the ‘vitrine’ window takes cues from the original fortification’s gun embrasures, opening into a kitchen garden that supplies produce to the new adjacent cafe.

The detailing of the little cafe is contemporary, referencing the historic building in its materials and form, and it reutilises the existing lean-to greenhouse to create a light-filled and spacious yet carefully articulated space that serves visitors to the garden. Overall, this is a very good example of repurposing an existing structure in a creative way to sustainably generate income that supports the current usage.

Internal area 200.00 m2

Contractor Walker Construction Ltd

Structural Engineers Historic England

Services Engineer Martin Thomas Associates

Landscape Design LUC

Play Equipment Studio Hardle

Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant Press and Starkey