Ightham Mote

Reed Watts worked with Landscape Architects Colvin & Moggridge to design this new visitor reception, retail shop and associated landscape works for the National Trust’s Ightham Mote in Kent, a Grade 1 listed building and Scheduled Monument.

The new building and entrance, set within an historic walled garden, provides a generous and flexible space for visitors to orientate themselves before approaching the house and the wider estate. The new building sits sensitively in the garden landscape so as to compliment the materials and textures of the site.

Contrasting the rich combination and arrangement of materials of the Mansion, the new structure is characterised by a simple palette of natural materials–including hempcrete, lime and timber–whilst incorporating subtle areas of craft and delight.

The hempcrete blocks, supplied by The Hemp Block Company, are 400mm thick and an ultra-low carbon alternative to traditional wall materials. Externally, the blocks are clad in sweet chestnut from locally coppiced timber and lime render while internally, we have applied a light coat of limewash to unify their appearance. Along with the use of renewable materials, an air source heat pump, passive ventilation and good levels of insulation ensure that the building is as sustainable as possible.

Aerial photo courtesy of the National Trust