Slimbridge Wetlands Centre – WWT

The Project

In November 2024 Emotive Landscapes was approached by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust to support the re-development of the old flamingo closure at their Slimbridge Wetlands Centre. Now to become the ‘Estuary Shoreline Event Space’.

The estate team produced a wonderful design for the reimagining of this landscape, and we were commissioned to support the technical design and build of the main pergola covered event space.

We started with site investigations and produced the technical drawings to inform the build. In September 2024 we started the construction.

The all-weather event space was opened in April 2025 ahead of the 2025 visitor season, and officially to the public on Friday 9th May. The construction features a large pergola built using large glulam supporting joists and a large green roof. A green roof or a ‘living roof’ is a roof partially or wholly covered in vegetation. The roof is installed over a waterproof membrane. The benefits of a green roof are numerous; an improved aesthetic, storm water attenuation, improved thermal properties which in this instance will keep the space cool in hot weather and most importantly provide animal and insect habitat where there would otherwise be none.

It was important to the trust to minimise the use of steel and its environment impact. The brief was for everything to be made from timber where possible. A reclaimed scaffold boards and a beautiful clay paver floor have also been incorporated into the design. The timber was preserved using a charring technique called Shou sugi ban. This practice developed in Japan and used for many years across the globe – involves distressing and preserving the timber by applying an open flame to char the wood. This turns just the top layer black and protects the wood from rot and decay.

The focus of the whole design and construction was at heart to be considerate to the environment – choosing lower carbon more sensitive construction methodologies and tools wherever possible. This site will now be surrounded by wildflower turf and native planting.

The new wetlands landscape sits right outside the main cafe and its intention was to create an events space. The new pergola provides covered seating for picnics and an event space for education, corporate events, school visits, and private hire for weddings etc.

We were incredibly pleased and honoured to be asked to be involved with such an exciting and visionary project. It was great working with the team at Slimbridge – and to have the opportunity to use our craftsmanship and landscaping skills to create something special, which can be enjoyed by thousands of people for many years to come.

We are grateful to the trust for the opportunity and hope that the many visitors who enjoy the space will appreciate the work done by the whole team in creating this incredible space.

Do you have a similar project you’d like us to work on? Please contact us.