The Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Visitor Centre

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Visitor Centre and Footbridge near Welney has received two prestigious awards - the Civic Trust's Biodiversity Sustainability Award and now the Sustainability Award from the RICS - thanks to its innovative and sustainable design, implemented by Chignell Buildings, a leading timber frame building specialist for the UK and part of the Ridgeon Group. It now goes forwards to the RICS International Final in October.
 
The building was honoured at the recent Civic Trust Awards for the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust's Welney Visitor Centre & Footbridge, gaining the Biodiversity Sustainability Award in March, and the construction was also a winner at the RICS Awards in May. Peter Chignell and his team at Chignell Building Ltd were responsible for building the timber frame building with main contractors Kier Eastern, working to architects Allies & Morrison's vision.
 
Regarded as the 'Oscars' of the built and natural environment, the RICS Awards recognise excellence, value for money and a commitment to sustainability.  The Wildfowl & Wetland Trust's Welney Visitor Centre & Footbridge won the Sustainability Award (sponsored by the Electrical Contractors' Association) and was also runner-up for the Building of the Year for the East of England, in a year when the RICS received a record number of entries. 
 
This means the Welney project, plus the overall winner of the Building of the Year Award, the Bridge End Garden Saffron Walden, will go forward to the international final of the RICS Awards, taking place in London in October, where they will compete against entries from the UK and the rest of the world.
 
The Welney Visitor Centre & Footbridge was designed by architects Allies & Morrison, and contracted out to Kier Eastern, who appointed Chignell Buildings as major subcontractors due to Chignell Buildings specialist expertise in timber frame building construction.
 
Peter Chignell said "A timber frame building was the perfect choice for Welney as it offers a sustainable, durable solution which lends itself beautifully to the striking fenland landscape. It was a pleasure to execute Allies & Morrison's plans and we'd like to thank Kier Eastern for appointing us to the task."
 
The judges at the Civic Trust Awards described the building as being: "An extremely elegant barn which provides a new Wildfowl and Wetland Trust building in the Fens. The building is simple, bright and friendly and is clad entirely in sustainable timber which is weathering attractively. With excellent access for all, this building is proving popular with visitors of all ages and abilities."
 
RICS East of England Operations Director, David Potter commented: "The quality of entries from the East of England is very high this year, and they celebrate the diversity of built environment schemes in the region. The winning schemes demonstrate excellence within their specific category, and that their projects have made a positive contribution to people's lives."