The Look Out Education Centre in Hyde Park

The Royal Parks and the Royal Parks Foundation are building an environmental education centre in Hyde Park.

This new facility, surrounded by a nature trail and dipping ponds, will enable young people to learn about plants and wildlife in a safe, enjoyable environment.

The new Look Out building will replace a row of converted Metropolitan Police dog kennels which were formerly used as a classroom during the summer months.

The new facility will provide two fully-equipped classrooms that can each accommodate 30 children, all year round. They will provide modern technology to help young people explore the surrounding natural environment.

The landscaping will create a wide variety of habitats for wildlife. It will include a dipping pond, a nature trail, raised planter beds and mini-beast log piles.

The existing Gate House building will be restored and used as a much needed meeting space.

DEVELOPING OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMME

The Look Out will enable The Royal Parks and the Royal Parks Foundation to educate thousands of young people about the importance of the environment.

It will provide a comfortable and modern, environmentally-friendly centre, together with a range of outdoor learning facilities. The new Look Out will cater for many more young people than is possible at present.

While the current education programme is limited to primary schools, we hope that the new centre will allow the team to reach secondary school children as well as community groups and adult learners.

The surrounding landscaping will give young people an opportunity to learn about nature through fun activities like pond dipping, gardening and exploring.

PROJECT DETAILS

The Look Out building will be built using sustainable materials to a very high environmental specification. The surrounding landscaping will be habitat-rich and actively managed to encourage wildlife.

The Royal Parks and the Royal Parks Foundation have worked closely with the architects and the landscape designers to ensure that there will be minimal impact on the surrounding area and wildlife.

About the building:

The new building, located on the roof of an existing reservoir, will replace some existing poor quality buildings and cover an area of 406 square metres.

The structure will be made from lightweight and sustainable timber. The footprint of the building will take up no existing green space.

In order to achieve a high standard of environmental design a number of energy-saving measures are proposed, such as: maximising natural ventilation and natural light; a green or rubble roof; and the use of low-carbon and water saving appliances.

About the location:

The new single storey Look Out building will be 4.6 metres high at its highest point. It will be surrounded by existing trees and new planting, which will screen it from view.

We value the existing habitat on the site and undertook a range of ecological surveys during 2009 including: habitats; bats; breeding birds and an overall impact assessment. The results of these surveys have been carefully considered and future works have been programmed in order to have minimal ecological impact.

An arboriculture impact assessment has been carried out. We are aiming to avoid any net-loss of trees - any potential loss will be carefully balanced against ecological gain.

WHAT NEXT

Westminster City Council granted full planning permission for The Look Out in March 2010. A contract has been placed with Fairhurst Ward Abbotts and construction commenced in October 2010.

The aim is to open the Look Out later this year.

How you can support the Look Out:

The Royal Parks Foundation is a registered charity and is responsible for raising the funds we need. You can help by dedicating a plaque at the sculpture Isis or by making a donation in whatever other way you choose to the Look Out Appeal. We would also like to hear from any businesses or charitable foundations interested in helping us with the project in any way. For more information please contact the Royal Parks Foundation or pick up a copy of their magazine.