Arcus were appointed as Architects to undertake RIBA Stages 1-4 on the conversion of a former golf club house to a fully accessible visitor centre for Southwood Park, consisting of a café, classroom and ranger’s office for the Southwood Country Park Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

Converting the existing building and reusing the existing structure offered a sustainable solution for the site, reducing demolition and waste. Proposed alterations to improve the building’s appearance and function, to be more akin to its new use and surroundings, resulted in a sympathetic upgrade of a redundant building.  Incorporating green credentials and a sustainable approach to both the construction and the running of the building were key elements of this proposal. Green sedum roofs, solar pv and grey water recycling and harvesting were some of the features incorporated.  The site is also very sensitive in terms of ecology and biodiversity, therefore the proposals ensured the existing habitats and species were protected and improved where possible.

As a Visitor Centre for the Park, the vision for this building was for it to provide a direct connection with the park and reflect and represent the park in its fabric and form whilst providing an emotional response by improving the health and wellbeing of the visitors.

Now operational, weekly youth clubs and other events are held at the centre making it a place that all members of the local community use and appreciate.