Westonbirt Vantage Point
Westonbirt Vantage Point
Gloucestershire,
England
2009
Client
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Westonbirt Heritage Vantage Point combines a walkway scheme with a lookout tower of lightweight steelwork and native timber that will provide visitors with a unique experience of the landscape and heritage of Westonbirt – both an up close experience of the trees and the opportunity for appreciation of the wider surroundings. The scheme is to be located in the Silkwood area of the arboretum with easy access to existing and proposed car park and welcome facilities.
Designed to blend subtly with the woodland, the structure is secondary in visual presence to its surroundings. The design addresses four key areas:
- User Experience: The elevated walkway offers immersive views not possible from the ground. Divided into short sections with passing points, it invites exploration and interpretation throughout the journey.
- Materials: Constructed from kiln-dried Douglas Fir and oiled English Oak, the walkway will feature a textured contrast that evolves over time. Timber slats are angled to reveal or obscure views, enhancing the experience from both above and below.
- Construction: The walkway uses a slender truss-parapet system that is efficient and visually minimal. The elegant spans avoid complexity, letting materials and setting define the character. A delicate, twisting truss forms the primary structure, blending it into the forest.
- Form: A helical tower creates varied interpretive experiences and views at canopy and emergent levels. A central void allows for suspended artworks, adding cultural depth to the natural setting.
Partner
Contractor
William Haley Engineering
