A2 ACTIVITY PARK PAVILION, GRAVESEND

This exciting new project, currently in the design development stage, was won by Clague in an invited expression of interest process and subsequent presentation of concept ideas.

The site lies on the line of the old A2 at Gravesend, which has been realigned as part of the Highway’s Agency’s improvement scheme. A long, linear park is being created by Kent County Council on the land between the urban edge of Gravesend and the newly aligned A2. The park will cater for outdoor activities such as track cycling, BMX, mountain biking, skateboarding, equestrian pursuits and walking. It is intended to become a regional centre for cycling excellence.

The pavilion will form the focal point for all visitors to the park. It is to be located within the core activity area and will provide the main entrance to the activities. It is conceived as a ‘street’, along which visitors will pass to gain access to the facilities both within the building and beyond. The main design generator was to provide clear and direct lines of circulation through the building and to the park beyond without the need for signs and directions. The building is intended to be highly legible and simple to use.

Within the building will be an equipment sales and hire shop, a community room, restaurant, multi-purpose training and education space, changing facilities and workshops. It is intended that the building and wider park will be used all year round and indeed the main public spaces in the pavilion are designed to be flexible so as to create a venue space(s), which could be used by the community, clubs and other organisations or private individuals for functions.