Reculver Visitors Centre
Community, Heritage and Learning
Dominated by a Roman Fort and a Saxon church dedicated to St Mary by an ancient King of Kent, Reculver stands as an ancient site of great importance along the North Kent coastline.
Kaner Olette worked with Allen Scott Landscape to develop a regeneration masterplan for the wider area and reimagining the setting around the historic core to create a ‘green’ tourist attraction and learning hub.
The completed first phase of this was an extended and remodelled visitor centre with curved sweet chestnut cladding and a variety of renewable energy technologies. The earlier visitor centre was often overlooked due to its low key appearance. The strong contrast between the historic and the contemporary forms and materials were intended to give a more prominent identity for the building set against the windswept landscape of the coastline.
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Completed: 2008
Location: Reculver, Kent
Context: SSSI, coastal country park, Scheduled Ancient Monument; Roman and Saxon sitesOwner Client: Canterbury City Council User Client: Kent Wildlife Trust
Masterplan: Allen Scott
Structural Engineer: Holt and Wootton
Services Engineer: MCA
QS: Betteridge and MilsomAwards: Highly Commended - RIBA Downland Prize 2009; 'best of the rest' AJ Small Projects shortlisted Kent Design Awards;
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“What was especially good about working with Kaner Olette was the excellent relationship between contractor, architect and client - resulting in a genuinely harmonious and enjoyable project, with a positive outcome for all. The design has attracted praise, not only from RIBA, but also from local residents and councillors, which has served to enhance our reputation as a council, and act as a catalyst for further regeneration improvements in the area.”
Anna Palmer | Senior Countryside Officer, Canterbury City Council
