The landscape around Stoke-on-Trent in northwestern England is known for its lakes and canals. On Westport Lake, a new Visitors Center (rated BREEAM Excellent) has just been completed by Walker Simpson Architects that combines natural ventilation, natural building materials (such as straw bales) and the natural cooling potential of the lake water.



Westport Lake Visitor Centre was commissioned by British Waterways, on behalf of Stoke on Trent City Council, with the object of creating a high-class visitor destination along the canal network. The site, a local Nature Reserve, is popular with anglers, bird watchers ramblers and cyclists. The Brief called for an exemplar sustainable design to symbolise the regeneration taking place citywide.

The Visitor and Field Study Centre provides much needed community facilities; flexible spaces that can provide a learning opportunity for schools, a seminar space, as well as a visitor’s café and viewing deck over the lake and canal. Shower and WC facilities for the canal users are provided to encourage boaters to make the lake an overnight stopping point along the canal network.

The design, by Walker Simpson architects, was intended to challenge conventional environmental typologies. The main building accommodation is set on an elevated deck, supported by a series of slender oak columns articulated by steel pin joints at the base and head. The massive brick walls of the workshop and store support the part of this deck at lower ground. The tenant, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, envisage this space being utilized by universities and schools for wildlife courses and practical training. An inlet is formed under the deck and a large timber sliding door opens from the workshop at the waters edge.

Visitors approach the building along a gentle ramp and over a steel pedestrian bridge, which links the building to the surrounding landscape. Vistas over the lake are immediately presented to the visitor as they approach the glazed entrance doors, connecting the visitor to the water upon arrival.

The form of the upper floor was conceived as a crustacean opening up to the lake and canal enclosing the space with floor to ceiling glazing. The rising curve of the deck, parallel to the canal, is mirrored by the curved roof overhang. The roof provides shelter for outdoor activities adjacent to the meeting rooms and café. Thick lime-rendered straw bale walls wrap the south and west elevations, contrasting the precision of the glazed curtain walling. Oak trims the corners of the straw walls and frame the deep reveals of windows creating a defined edge to the natural render.

Environmental Design