Nine architecture students from Newcastle University have been working with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to improve some of the facilities at the popular recreational site, with the aim of providing a better visitor experience as well as improved opportunities for interpretation and education, particularly around the site’s main entrance.

Following the coronavirus pandemic, Northumberlandia has experienced increasing visitor numbers and rising popularity as a safe recreational destination for local communities.

The Welcome Pavilion project will see a new sheltered seating space created, forming a clear meeting point at the entrance to the site that will be used by the general public as well as small school classes for informal outdoor teaching.

The structure will enable activities to happen in more comfort than is currently possible and it will also contain new interpretation and educational material to enable all visitors to get the most out of the site.

Student Kate Rhodes explained “Due to all the generous support and interest so far we have successfully managed to raise enough for Phase 1, now we are looking to continue fundraising for Phase 2, so that we can have the full build completed in summer.”

“Timber will be used as the structure’s primary material in an unusual design that will also be an attraction in itself. As well as what the site currently offers, Northumberland Wildlife Trust has further plans for the site that will enhance its current role as a key ‘breathing space’ for local communities, and we see our small project as a way of generating momentum, increasing the likelihood that further site improvements will also eventually come to pass.”

Cramlington Town Mayor Loraine De Simone met the students at Northumberlandia and announced that the Town Council has pledged £1000 to the project once the rest of the funding has been secured.  She added “I love the design of the Welcome Pavilion that has been produced by the Masters of Architecture students. Northumberlandia is more popular than ever and this structure will help Northumberland Wildlife Trust transform the site into a vibrant social hub for the whole community.

Claire Darcy, Events and Site Officer, Northumberland Wildlife Trust said “Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Northumberlandia are excited to be partnering with Newcastle University Master of Architecture students on this amazing project. We are really pleased that the hard work and enthusiasm provided by the student group will enable us to deliver this much needed addition to Northumberlandia. Once the structure is completed not only will it provide great shelter for all of our customers, we’ll make good use of it for education purposes including using it as a seated area to do talks on Wildlife conservation and of course the lady herself. Northumberlandia only receives a small grant and relies heavily on donations so it is great that we’re able to get this new welcome pavilion with support from Newcastle University, Cramlington Town Council and with additional public donations. We can’t wait to break ground.”

Ben Taylor, Final Year, Stage 6 Masters of Architecture Student spoke of his pride in being involved with the project saying “The opportunity to design and build a pavilion at Northumberlandia is an invaluable experience for young, aspiring architects such as those in our group. Providing this community-facing design is something we can look back on in the future with great pleasure.”

His fellow student Hanry Cahill echoed those sentiments, adding “We believe the pavilion will enhance visitor engagement with the site as well as the surrounding nature and wildlife. Our pavilion should create a new wildlife hub for the community of Cramlington and an area for outdoor education for visitors over the years to come. ”

Pictured: Cramlington Town Mayor Loraine De Simone, Cramlington Town Council Community and Youth Manager Maggie Martin, Claire Darcy from Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Masters of Architecture students involved in the project.

 

An impression pf the Welcome Pavilion.