WWT

WWT invited us to tender our own conceptual designs and sustainable build plan in response to their brief to drive awareness and visitor engagement at their WWT site in Arundel, Hampshire.

The brief was to design a means of inspiring visitors to engage with the nature, and drive support for Wetland conservation.

Five pathways underpin the principle of ‘nature connection’; Senses, Emotion, Beauty, Meaning and Compassion. We adopted these to stimulate the visitor to recognise, appreciate, learn and build emotional memories with the site’s inhabitant species of birds, insects, animals and plants.

Our design of a woven willow sphere around a minimal steel framework, includes apertures of various species identifiable at the site, including Lapwing, Marsh Harrier, Egret, Dragonfly and Sand Martins. The sphere’s positioning within the site, complete with a circular window offers peaceful views of the nature and Arundel Castle beyond, provoking mindfulness and quiet contemplation.

The arc of the sun was a heavy influence in the design, offering shadow plays through the apertures and silhouettes during the course of any one day.

Arundel-local willow artist Mark Antony Haden Ford was appointed to bring his expertise in willow and other natural materials to interpret our design, and build a beautiful, public-friendly and durable installation. His locality and use of natural materials was pivotal in achieving a highly sustainable proposition to the brief.

The sphere is a permanent installation.