We are delighted our project The Welcome Building at the RHS Garden Bridgewater Worsley is a Regional Finalist at the 2022 Civic Trust Awards.
The welcome building is a horizontal composition which seeks to respond to a commanding horizon defined by the elevated Bridgewater Canal. It is the culmination of our long standing interest in architecture in the landscape. Structural trees support an overarching timber diagrid roof beneath which the primary components of the brief; ticketing, a learning centre, retail area, indoor plant sales, and café, can flex in response to seasonal demands. The roof extends beyond the enclosure to the north and south, blurring the edge between building and landscape. Natural light permeates the building either by louvred curtain walling, or filters through the diagrid via a rooflight that extends centrally along its full length.
Sustainability is at the heart of the proposals and embedded in the work of the RHS. The building benefits from rainwater harvesting, green roofs, ground source heat pumps, underfloor heating and cooling and natural cross ventilation. The timber roof and extensive timber cladding provide a constant visual reminder of the environmental aims as well as sequestering an approximated 350 tonnes of carbon into the structure of the building.
All Regional Finalists will now be considered by the National Judging Panel for a Civic Trust Award, be Highly Commended or will remain as a Regional Finalist.
Good luck to all the finalists.