wigg island

Wigg Island Visitors Centre, Runcorn,

Opened 31st October 2007

Wigg island is a substantial nature reserve, bounded by the River Mersey and the Manchester ship canal, The skyline to one side holds the Runcorn bridge, to the other side will be the proposed new bridge. Across the Mersey you see Fiddlers Ferry power station. Emerging from an industrial past this brown-field site is just part of Halton Borough Council's Landscape Department initiative to provide parks and facilities for the boroughs residents. It is the third Hot architecture visitors centre for Halton.

Brief

This gateway building aims to create a focal point that will serve to open Wigg Island up to a wider public. Providing a community / resource centre at the entrance to the island. The intention is that it should;

Accommodate a ranger station.
Contain a multi-purpose community hall.
Provide an outlook and interpretative to the surrounding wildlife.
Be capable of accommodating a future extension.
Be a model of sustainability in practice. Be secure and resistant to attack by vandals on what is an exposed and isolated site.

Solution

The building makes reference to the fort that once occupied this place, it has a moat and drawbridge, to aid security. The outer walls are stainless steel mesh, ensuring a robust secure enclosure whilst allowing views out.

The materials used in the building were chosen carefully, to avoid the need for ongoing maintenance. Most were sourced locally. The central building is a timber-framed structure from sustainable sources.

The project features a 6KW wind turbine that is to be connected to the national grid, it will supply in excess of the buildings electricity requirements, which in effect makes the building self-sufficient for heating and lighting.

There is no water supply to the island, rainwater is captured and stored in underground tanks, cleaned and used for hand washing and toilet flushing. Drinking water has to be brought in.

Because the building is sited on contaminated land, the footprint of the building - where it touches the ground - is limited to a central concrete pedestal. This meant that no contaminated land was exposed or needed removing, limiting the environmental impact.

Awards

Manchester Society of Architects award winner 2004 un-built

Winner Best Built Environment (Under £million) Northwest Business Environment Awards 2007

Credits

Budget £450k

Architect; Hot Architecture - Project Architect; Keith Andrews

Client; Halton Borough Council Landscape Services

Quantity Surveyor; Simon Fenton Partnership

Structural Engineer; Whitbybird

Contractor; City Build Manchester

Services; Gilland Services Ltd