The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge is a leading UK conservation organisation. It was founded in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott. In 1953 Scott moved from his narrowboat Beatrice to the house he designed and built at Slimbridge which is now the centre of the Wetland Centre. Since Sir Peter’s death in 1989 the house has remained untouched, it still has the books and artefacts and paintings that were part of his life. The house provides a unique view on to a lake where a flock Bewick swans visit every year and have been studied since 1964 to the present day providing unrivalled research and information about UK and migrating birds.
The WWT has been awarded HLF funding to assist in turning Scott’s house in to a Museum and to also provide unique holiday let and event space. Greengauge are working with Millar Howard Workshop to develop the servicing strategy for the house and space. The project faces some real challenges not only in terms of how to maintain and retain the existing building and artefacts but also how to deliver an amazing space which has minimal impact on the lake and birds which inhabit it whilst also giving the public a very intimate connection with them.