Purcell lands arboretum visitor-centre commission

Practice will work up proposals for Oxford University site after National Lottery funding awardHarcourt Arboretum in Oxfordshire has appointed architect Purcell to work up designs for a visitor and learning centre that will include a café and shop, as well as all-weather education space.The grade I-listed attraction at Nuneham Courtenay, five miles south of Oxford city centre, covers 52ha and boasts a nationally-important collection of trees.Earlier this year site-owner Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum – which is part of the University of Oxford – was awarded £191,420 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop proposals for the new centre at Harcourt in preparation for a full grant application.Purcell regional partner Nicola Hewes said the practice was delighted to be asked to find ways to help transform the visitor experience at Harcourt and help open the site up to local communities.“Such a special site deserves an innovative and sustainable design solution and we are looking forward to collaborating with the university and arboretum team to realise this exceptional project,” she said.