Aberdyfi Ecology Centre, Wales, UK, with Kirkland Fraser Moor

The Aberdyfi Estuary is situated on the southern coast of the Snowdonia National Park in Wales. This estuary is an important wetland area and has been recognized by UNESCO as the only Biosphere Reserve in Wales. The Ecology Centre has been established to present and interpret the rich ecology of this estuary. It aims to promote interest in local and global ecological and to provide education on wider environmental issues to the general public, tourists and students.

The building is centered on a simple circular route along which are placed all the exhibition and communication material. This route covers both internal and external areas. The building envelop follows this path with a curved roof profile which gently undulates in height depending on internal volume. A number of exercises were carried out to optimize the arrangement of the roof apex profile to ensure the least visually intrusive orientation.

Geometric studies were undertaken to find a suitable building form that could be economically constructed but that would also allow for an organic expression of each of these site and program constraints. Simple spherical geometries were utilized to ensure economic standardization of construction. By simply varying the degree of surface fluid form was achieved allowing for a unique expression of architecture.

images copyright KFM