Professional Consultancy Design Services for refurbishments at the Welsh Wildlife Centre

Tender description

The Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire is an established nature reserve of some 265 acres run by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW). The main visitor centre was built 30 years ago and was award winning at the time for its innovative design. Alongside the centre are various ancillary buildings both modern and old and in varying states of condition and disrepair. The site welcomes 70,000 visitors per year including tourists and a strong local following. The site offers a range of activities and has dining, retail and meeting facilities on offer. However, there are a number of inherent failings developing at the site which are causing concern and WTSWW are addressing these with a programme of building improvements with the support of external funding bodies. This Brief focusses on improvements to the main centre building and refurbishment of an ancillary cottage for rent within a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant aided project. The main building requires specific areas to be refurbished and modernized. Externally there will be a complete refurbishment of the Bunk House and repairs to two other minor buildings; Oak Cottage and Ysgol Natur. The Trust is currently recipients of a Development Phase award and this Brief includes that Phase and the subsequent Delivery Phase should the Trust gain a Round 2 award. Concurrently with the Development phase there are capital works proceeding for external infrastructure and short term building remedial works. These are separately funded through the Levelling Up Shared Prosperity Fund, will be managed directly by WTSWW and do not form part of this Brief. The Trust has also appointed specialist consultants who will be undertaking audience development and activity planning in the Development phase. This will target diversity and inclusivity and will be coordinated to inform the Capital works. WTSWW seeks a professional team to work alongside their staff and management, comprising an Architect with Lead Design Consultant responsibilities, Building Services consultant, Structural Engineer and Principal Designer. An important part of the commission will be the methodology, processes and client consultation, the way ideas are described and illustrated in the process and the final presentation material that could be used to support the Trust’s bid for key decisions and funding bids. The tender will be for the whole team and not individual lots.