Architecture firm works on eco-park plans

Newcastle-based JDDK Architects has worked on plans for a visitor centre and learning centre at Oldham’s 160-acre Northern Roots urban farm and eco-park.A hybrid planning application for the site has been submitted following a period of public consultation events. The project has been dubbed as the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park, offering new facilities and activities along with new jobs, training and business opportunities for local people.It also looks to enhance the habitat, biodiversity and environmental value of the site.JDDK Architects had previously been involved in a number of visitor centre projects across the UK, including The Sill in Northumberland, the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre in Nottingham and the RSPB’s Saltholme International Nature Reserve on Teesside.The visitor centre has been designed to blend with the surrounding natural environment and nestles into the woodland edge combining elements of the initial two proposals presented to public consultations.JDDK principal architect Alison Thornton-Sykes said: “One option was based on the transformation of a caterpillar from the cocoon stage to the emerging butterfly whilst the second option arose from the modelling workshops which showed a preference for a circular building and influences of spiral beehives and so we combined the two ideas.”The transformation journey remains symbolic of the wider transformation of the site from an industrial past to a green masterplan with the butterfly roof rising from an elliptical shaped building surrounding a welcoming courtyard.”The Learning Centre, which will include reception, teaching kitchen and breakout space, staff facilities, multi-faith prayer and meditation space, classrooms, toilets and a bunkhouse, sits within a woodland area to the south west of the application boundary.Anna da Silva, project director of Northern Roots, added: “Actively involving communities in Oldham in the design and co-creation of the proposed visitor centre and learning centre at Northern Roots, has been really important.”Not only has the process been dynamic, iterative and allowed for meaningful involvement in shaping the final proposals, it will foster a sense of ownership in the community in the long term; these are buildings that have been shaped by people in Oldham for people in Oldham, and that is key to the overall ethos of Northern Roots.”