Carisbrooke Castle Visitor Centre

The Practice was commis­sioned by English Heritage to prepare a feasibility study and then provide full archi­tec­tural services for the design and construction of a new admissions building at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. The Castle, a classic motte-and-bailey type dates from 1100 and stands close to the geographic centre of the Island. The new building is located adjacent to the medieval bridge and gatehouse on a previously excavated section of the outer earthworks. 

Our design echoes the forms of earlier vernacular buildings on the site but was completed using contem­porary construction techniques. 

The Visitor Admissions building has been cited by English Heritage as a highly successful example of new design in a sensitive setting.