Design Competition for Langley Vale Visitor Hub

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Miranda Lawson
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1 Design Competition for Langley Vale Visitor Hub

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Langley Vale Visitor Hub Design Competition Invitation This document is a brief for an open design competition for a Visitor Hub at Langley Vale.

3 Langley Vale Visitor Hub Design Competition Invitation This document is a brief for an open design competition for a Visitor Hub at Langley Vale. The visitor hub will provide our visitors with shelter and public convenience facilities but also welcome, inspire and encourage them to explore the landscape beyond. STATEMENT BY THE WOODLAND TRUST Langley Vale is England s Centenary ; 640 acres of rolling hills and grassy fields near Epsom. We are planting approximately 100ha of native trees, including beech, rowan, hawthorn and oak and creating carpets of striking wildflowers. The land will be transformed into a peaceful place with natural habitats for the little owl, dormice, skylarks and lapwings. Ten thousand trees have already been planted at this site by local school children and nearby residents. Surrey is home to more woodland than any other county and there are over 140 acres of existing woodland, mainly ancient, on this site. Our woodland creation will link and buffer these vital habitats, creating a safe environment for wildlife to thrive. It s this rich diversity of life that has led to parts of Langley Vale being designated Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI). The competition is open to registered architects, designers and landscape architects based in the UK. Architects should be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Students of these disciplines may apply but if shortlisted will be required to team up with a registered architect or landscape architect to enable delivery. The competition client is the land Trust who own and manage the site. The competition is being managed and administered by RIBA Competitions. The competition will be organised in two stages: Stage 1: Submission of concept designs which will be assessed anonymously 3 Stage 2: A shortlist of three designs will be selected and invited to submit and present their enhanced ideas to the judging panel The winning entry should effectively present an inspiring and sustainable building that is both integral to the landscape and has a character in tune with the project s aims and objectives and with the land Trust s objectives. The successful design will need to provide integration of visitor servicing, interpretation, community space and an office with kitchen facilities for WT staff. The winning proposal will be used to help support fundraising activities and so will need to be capable of attracting potential donors to the project. It is anticipated that a period of time will elapse between identifying the winner and the progression of the scheme to allow this opportunity to fundraise and to build the EIA recommendations into the planning application.

Registration and how to enter You may only submit an entry to the competition if you are officially registered through RIBA Competitions and in possession of a Unique Registration Number (URN).

4 Registration and how to enter You may only submit an entry to the competition if you are officially registered through RIBA Competitions and in possession of a Unique Registration Number (URN). The competition is subject to a non-refundable registration and administration fee of 35+VAT. Please visit and follow the appropriate link under Enter a competition to make an on-line payment. Once your payment has been processed, you will be issued with a Unique Registration Number (URN) and a Declaration of Authorship Form. Applicants will receive the following information following registration: Langley Vale recreation and access report Langley Vale history and landscape assessment Landscape view points Access maps Draft interpretation plan Visitor Centre viability study for Langley Vale and supporting document Local history report The Unique Registration Number [URN] to be used on each element of the submission to maintain anonymity. Please note that registration will close at 2.00pm GMT on Wednesday 20 January Please refer to the competition conditions for full details regarding anonymity and the submission requirements. 4

Langley Vale Visitor Hub Design Competition The Brief Introduction to the site Langley Vale is a circa 640 acre site in Surrey on the edge of the M25, of which circa 140 acres is existing, mainly

5 Langley Vale Visitor Hub Design Competition The Brief Introduction to the site Langley Vale is a circa 640 acre site in Surrey on the edge of the M25, of which circa 140 acres is existing, mainly ancient woodland. Langley Vale will offer the public an outdoor experience for informal recreation, exercise, fresh air, closeness to nature and escape from the urban realm. The purpose of the site is: 1. To protect and manage existing ancient woodland and create new native broadleaf woodland 2. To create a living tribute to those affected by the First World War for England 3. To communicate our message to as many people as possible 4. To encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy the natural world 5. To maintain other valuable habitats and species on site as a demonstration of landscape-scale conservation 5 6. inspire people to value trees and woods The site has been identified as England s First World War Centenary for the WT s First World War Centenary s project. It is one of four sites in the UK, the other three located in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We know that the local area has a rich First World War history and the site itself is thought to have formed part of what was known as Tadworth Training Camp. We intend to conduct geographical surveys to explore for evidence of this including practice trenches. We have also discovered a timber flag pole in an area of the site known as Gas School where we believe British troops trained to prepare for gas attacks during the war. This heritage and the role of the woodland as a living memorial to those affected by the war will create a very different visitor experience to the average land Trust site. The site s design has been developed in a way that enables the First World War experience of the site to be kept separate from the environmental education and heritage of the site.

Langley Vale Visitor Hub Design Competition Components of the Scheme Minimum Components Internal Configuration of Visitor Hub A secure welcoming entrance, which should be obvious to all visitors and

6 Langley Vale Visitor Hub Design Competition Components of the Scheme Minimum Components Internal Configuration of Visitor Hub A secure welcoming entrance, which should be obvious to all visitors and offer shelter from the elements. A bright room that can be used for communicating the Trust s messages, informing visitors of current and upcoming activity for the Trust and enabling them to make decisions about their visit. The space should be large enough to host site visits with key influencers as well as ad hoc use for local community groups using the site such as the scouts. 6 Public toilets which can be used by men and women including staff, and baby feeding/changing facilities which should be fully accessible with the ability to access when the hub is closed. Security - the building design should be such that it can be secured out of hours without detriment to the overall aesthetic and response to the site/landscape. Storage space for tools, tables chairs for events and educational resources. Small kitchen area to host site visits with key influencers. A small office for site staff and volunteers. A way to creatively acknowledge the names of people who have had trees planted/ dedicated for them in the Centenary s project these will be a mix of those who played a role in the First World War and those who plant for other occasions. The main elements will share the maximum space of 300 square metres and should approximately reflect: 12% entrance space, 40% Main Space, 30% toilets and 6% for each of the kitchen, office space and store.

7 External Situation Due to its situation it is anticipated that most of the visitors will arrive by car, with parking in the car park adjacent to the visitor hub, but a small proportion may arrive by foot or bike and provision in the overall site plan will allow for this. We aim to support 180,000 visits per annum to the site in 5 years of opening. The Trust is currently in the process of applying for planning permission for a car park on site and an entrance from the Headley Road to the site. The car park will be a maximum of 150 permanent spaces with overflow for 100 further cars. The visitor hub must be one storey, no more than 20m wide, 25m long and 6m high Due to covenants and other planning restrictions on site, there is only one location that we are able to erect any structure (see map Appendix i) Sustainability The building should aim to be an exemplar of sustainability both in construction and use. It should use green technology to deliver sustainability where sensible and practical e.g. power sources (but not wind turbines, due to restrictions), insulation, heating and lighting. There is potential to use wood cut from the site itself, or other land Trust sites. The building should be properly sustainable in both environmental and financial terms - designs should seek to minimise operating costs of the building in use [including staff resources]. Accessibility The building should be accessible to all and should comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 Adaptability The building should continue to fit with the adapting, growing landscape Should be developed to ensure the land Trust can physically add to the structure in due course if visitor demand calls for additional facilities. Desirable Components: The building is beautifully designed, in sympathy with and complementary to the future landscape setting, memorable, functional and durable. The building should provide drama to the sense of arrival and a visual reference point in the landscape. Budget The design solution must be capable of being delivered with a project budget [inclusive of professional fees] of 325K. The design solution should have the potential to inspire potential donors. At stage 2 the relative proportional split of the budget for all elements should be clearly defined. The building should have a minimal carbon footprint. Materials Material and methods of construction should be selected to deliver aesthetic excellence and sustainability. We welcome concepts including the use of recycled, salvaged or non standard materials to make best use of the budget Any wood use must meet FSC standards 7

8 Competition Conditions 1. Competition Promoter The competition client is the land Trust. The competition is being managed and administered by RIBA Competitions to whom all queries relating to the competition should be addressed. 2. Eligibility The competition is open to registered architects, designers and landscape architects in the UK. Architects should be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Students of these disciplines may apply but if shortlisted will be required to team up with a registered architect or landscape architect to enable delivery. No member or employee of the promoting body, the judging panel, or any partner, close associate or employee of them is eligible to compete or assist a competitor. 3. Competition Format The competition will follow the Open design competition format and will be organised in the following phases: Phase 1: Submission of concept designs which will be assessed anonymously. Phase 2: A shortlist of three designs will be selected and invited to submit and present their enhanced ideas to the judging panel. 4. How to Register and Enter You may only submit an entry to the competition if you are officially registered through RIBA Competitions and in possession of a Unique Registration Number (URN). The competition is subject to a non-refundable registration and administration fee of 35+VAT. Please visit and follow the appropriate link under Enter a competition to make an on-line payment. Once your payment has been processed, you will be issued with a Unique Registration Number (URN) and a Declaration of Authorship Form. 5. Declaration of Authorship & Acceptance of Competition Regulations The declaration form acknowledges authorship of the design ideas, and by signing it, competitors agree to abide by the competition conditions and the decision of the Judging Panel as final. The completed declaration form should be uploaded to the digital entry system along with the design submission. Please note the team member stated on the declaration form will be used as the credits in all promotional activity so please ensure this is reflected accurately. 6. Judging Panel The Judging Panel (which may be subject to change) is expected to comprise: Sarah Wigglesworth Sarah Wigglesworth Architects, RIBA Adviser Beccy Speight Chief Executive, land Trust Simon Bateman Project Manager, land Trust Clive Aslet Editor-at-Large, Country Life Magazine & Writer Patrick MacDonald Trustee, land Trust Joanne Wallis Senior Competitions Manager RIBA Competitions (Observer only) * Joanne Wallis will attend the assessments to document the competition process and provide procedural support. 8

9 In the event of a Judging Panel member being unable to continue to act through illness or any other cause, the land Trust, in consultation with the RIBA, reserves the right to appoint an alternative Panel member. 7. Competition Timetable The anticipated programme, which may be subject to variation, is as follows: Competition Launch Tuesday 1 December 2015 Deadline for Questions Monday 14 December 2015 Response to Questions issued Monday 21 December 2015 Deadline for Registration Wednesday 20 January 2016 by 2pm Deadline for Phase 1 Design Proposals Wednesday 27 January 2016 by 2pm Assessment of Phase 1 Designs w/c 8 February 2016 Shortlist notified w/c 15 February 2016 Public Engagement February 2016 Phase 2 briefing, site visit and feedback issued w/c 22 February 2016 Deadline for Phase 2 Designs Wednesday 6 April 2016 Final interviews/presentations w/c 25 April Questions Questions relating to the Competition Brief and Conditions must be submitted to RIBA Competitions at riba.competitions@riba. org before close of business on Monday 14 December A statement in response to all questions raised will be ed to registered competitors by Monday 21 December Anonymity All Phase 1 submissions will be judged anonymously, via use of the Unique Registration Number (URN) issued at the time of Registration. The URN should be prominently displayed on each of the design submission sheets, report and declaration form. Please refer to the section How to Register to obtain a URN. Any submission that has identifying marks (including logos, text, insignia, or images that could be used to identify the submission s authors) will be automatically disqualified. 10. Disqualification Submissions shall be excluded from the Competition: If a Competitor shall disclose his or her identity, or improperly attempt to influence the decision; If received after the latest time stated under Phase 1 Submission Method; If, in the opinion of the Judging Panel, it does not fulfil the requirements of the Competition Brief; If any of the mandatory requirements of the Competition Brief and Conditions are disregarded. 11. Phase 1 Submission Requirements There are four elements to the design submission, each of which should bear the Unique Registration Number (URN) only. Competitors should refer to the Anonymity requirements and submit the following material digitally: i. A maximum of 2 x landscape sheets (equivalent to A3 in PDF format only) to comprise: Sheet 1: concept sketches and/or diagrams; the organisation inside the building and how it will accommodate the practical requirements of the Trust/ visitors/maintenance & repair/security Sheet 2: your vision for the building in its setting, demonstrating what is unique and compelling about it. The drawing needs to explain the building s relationship with its setting and how it interprets and engages the site. Can be annotated. 9

10 The proposals should be presented in a clear and succinct manner to enable Judging Panel members to readily understand the essence and design drivers behind the scheme. The URN should be prominently displayed on the front face of each design sheet in the top right hand corner, together with the order in which the boards should be viewed (1 of 2 etc). Physical architectural models will not be accepted as part of the Phase 1 submission. However images of models used to develop the design proposal may be included on the design sheet(s). ii. A written design statement (maximum 500 words) in support of the submission including: 1. Your vision for the new building 2. How it interprets and engages the site 3. How it deals with practical issues Please note that the total upload should not exceed 20MB. Late entries will not be accepted and the digital entry system will not permit uploads after the 2pm deadline. The digital entry system will allow you to amend or delete the information you upload up until the stipulated deadline date and time. You are strongly advised to familiarise yourself with the system and to allow adequate time for your submission material to successfully upload. b) Phase 2 Shortlisted teams will be provided with feedback from Phase 1 and asked to further develop their concept designs. Competitors will be required to demonstrate, as far as possible, the deliverability and viability of their design and invited to attend an interview to discuss further with the Judging Panel. All entries for both phases must be submitted in English. iii. iv. 4. What it will be made of, where the components will come from and who will make it. A completed declaration form which should bear the URN in the dedicated section on the form. Please note the team member stated on the declaration form will be used as the credits in all promotional activity so please ensure this is reflected accurately. In addition, to the pdf of the design sheets, one visual image of the design concept should be provided for publicity purposes. The image should be representative of the ideas proposed and be readily identifiable as such. The image should be submitted in JPEG format, in a low resolution (72ppi) with an image width of at least 1000px. a) Phase 1 Submission Method Each phase 1 design submission should be uploaded to the RIBA Competitions digital entry system before 2.00pm on Wednesday 27 January Further details and a unique secure link will be issued to registered competitors. 12. Evaluation Criteria Phase 1 quality of the design inventiveness, imagination and resourcefulness response to brief response to site and context clarity of presentation fit with landscape Phase 2 design interpretation viability of the submission ability to deliver the project 10

11 13. Site visits The site manager will be available to undertake site tours on the 7th and 14th January These will be bookable. Please contact RIBA Competitions at to book a place. 2 entry will each receive an honorarium of 3,000 +VAT. The land Trust undertakes to pay the honorarium within six weeks of the conclusion of the competition. Invoices for payment should be submitted to RIBA Competitions. 17. Copyright 14. Public Consultation Shortlisted competitors will be expected to attend a public consultation at phase 2 of the competition. The ownership of Copyright will be in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, that is Copyright rests with the author of the submitted design. 15. Notification of Result / Publicity The competition results will be published after all competitors have been notified. Please note that any requests for feedback should be submitted to RIBA Competitions within one calendar month of a shortlist, or a result being announced. Competitors must not release their designs for publication to any 3rd parties until after the shortlist or result has been officially announced and permission has been granted from the RIBA. Competitors should note that by entering the competition they are expected to honour the request for confidentiality to prevent information of the shortlist or the winning team being leaked to the Press before any official announcement is made. The RIBA reserves the right to publicise the competition, any design submission, and the result in any promotional activity, including all social media channels, it considers fit. Illustrations of any design - either separately, or together with other designs, with or without explanatory text - may be used without cost. Once anonymity has been lifted, authors will be credited and recognised in all associated media and publicity. This information will be taken from the declaration form so please ensure the details are accurate. 18. Post competition The role of RIBA Competitions is limited to the administration and management of the competition process. The RIBA will have no further role once the winner has been selected and competitors notified. 19. Enquiries The competition is being managed and administered by RIBA Competitions on behalf of the land Trust. All enquiries relating to the competition should be directed to: RIBA Competitions No.1 Aire Street Leeds, LS1 4PR T: E: riba.competitions@riba.org land Trust, the RIBA Adviser, or any other members of the judging panel should not be contacted for information as this may lead to disqualification from the competition. 16. Honoraria It is intended that three teams will be selected to proceed to the second phase. Each shortlisted team who submits a phase 11

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