Gateway Hub
Community and Leisure
As part of the Peacehaven Big Parks Project, Kaner Olette were commissioned to create a new vision for the buildings within a run down sports park and as a threshold to the South Downs National Park to the north.
In response to this brief and extensive community consultation, Kaner Olette designed the ‘Gateway Hub’ consisting of a new interpretation cafe, family toilets and an extended nursery. The cafe was a retrofit of a former parks depot clad in asbestos and surrounded by security fencing. Locally-sourced sweet chestnut was used as external cladding and fencing to tie the new facilities and existing structures together visually. Solar panels and a pellet boiler provide hot water and heating. As the sweet chestnut ages, it will turn a silver-grey colour to compliment the pre-weathered zinc.
The Hub has received multiple awards including the AJ Retrofit 2015, RIBA South East Award 2016 and the Constructing Excellence Sustainability Award.
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Completed: 2014
Location: Peacehaven, East Sussex
Context: Degraded community sports park near South Coast; High archaeological valueClient: Lewes District Council / Peacehaven Town Council
Landscape Architect: Allen Scott
Structural Engineer: HOP
Services Engineer: Croftons
QS: Maconvilles
Contractor: Tasker Catchpole
Photography: Richard Chivers & Andrew HatfieldAwards: Constructing Excellence Sustainability Award Winner; AJ Retrofit Award Winner 2015; RIBA South East Award Winner 2016; Sussex Heritage Trust Public & Community Commended; CPRE Making Places Award
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"The Big Parks Project required the Architect to find the best solution for the refurbishment and change of use of a number of buildings, within the constraints of a tight budget and different stakeholder objectives. Mike and his team have created a fantastic design using the existing buildings and have been integral in coordinating the design team to deliver the project.
Mike's presentation material and interpersonal skills in communicating the design and the methodology have been excellent. He has attended numerous public consultations and project board meetings demonstrating a personal passion for the project. Their attention to detail and problem solving ability means that I have no hesitation in recommending them."Christopher Bibb - Lewes District Council
"The Gateway Interpretation Café in Peacehaven is an exemplar for retrofit design due to its holistic sustainability approach and collaborative local community-led approach."
Royal Institute of British Architects
