Rewilding Hub Proposed for Warren Farm Nature Reserve

Eco-friendly pavilion could provide venue for educational and well-being activities

A visualisation of the proposed rewilding hub. Picture: Lill Architects/Atelier Replica

September 5, 2024

Two local architects have drawn up designs for what they hope will become an ‘eco landmark’ on the Warren Farm Nature Reserve.

Ania and Peter Lill of Lill Architects Ltd have responded to a suggestion from Ealing Council Leader that ‘small pavilion with a nature classroom’ could be provided on the site between the reserve and new sports facilities.

He made then comments at a cabinet meeting in March 2024 when the decision was made to proceed with the plan for a new nature reserve and sports pitches now on Imperial College Land rather than a previously rewilded site .

The process of getting official Local Nature Reserve designation continues and the couple have created an eco-friendly building design which would serve as both a rewilding hub, cafe and potential pavilion or changing rooms. The ‘eco landmark building’ would be part of a ‘brownfield buffer’ between the rewilded area and the sports fields.

The ‘Warren Farm Nature Reserve - Rewilding Hub’ is envisioned to be a specialist, environmentally friendly building for the community, schools, universities and environmental organisations. It would provide a space where educational, well-being, nature connection and artistic activities could be held. It is also hoped it could become London’s expert-led rewilding centre of excellence.

The design also envisages making safe and repurposing some of the derelict buildings as a brownfield nature reserve area. The buildings make up less than 7% of the overall site, and while unsightly and dangerous in their dilapidation, they have become a habitat for wildlife over the last 15 years. Campaigners say that among the rare species found in the buildings is the Thanatus striatus spider, the first time in has been spotted in the county.

The Lills and campaigners for the nature reserve believe the derelict buildings are no longer just a problem, but part of the solution to further increase biodiversity in a different way. There are very few brownfield nature reserves in the UK and it is claimed that having one in Ealing would put the borough on the map for progressive nature protection.

The interior of the proposed Rewilding Hub. Picture: Lill Architects/Atelier Replica

Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign organiser Katie Boyles said, “Warren Farm Nature Reserve has proven itself to be an exceptional green space at a time of unprecedented biodiversity loss. It was almost destroyed, in part, due to a lack of awareness and education gap. As Robert Macfarlane said, people can’t care about what they don’t know about. Vital habitats and vulnerable species across the UK are silently going extinct as you read this. Should a small build be required at all, having a shared educational community rewilding hub with changing rooms for example, and rewilded brownfield buffer zone between Warren Farm Nature Reserve and any proposed sports pitches on the neighbouring land, makes perfect ecological sense from both sides of the fence. Bats and Barn Owls don’t mix with floodlights, and sports players won’t want to be inadvertently harming wildlife. We are excited to be in the process of obtaining vital Local Nature Reserve designation together here with Ealing Council and we hope what’s happening at Warren Farm Nature Reserve inspires other councils to follow this lead.

“We want to give a big thank you to Ania and Peter Lill of Lill Architects for their love of Warren Farm Nature Reserve that inspired this impressive design concept and to Agnieszka Kwiecien of Atelier Replica for this incredible artistic impression, showing what is possible if we choose to think outside the ‘concrete’ box.”

Ania Lill added, “Every plant and animal has just as much right to share their habitat with us as we do with them. The Warren Farm Nature Reserve Rewinding Hub project presented us with an opportunity to design a building that balances the needs of the community with the unique natural surroundings - a place that’s beneficial to all. We are so grateful to all the campaigners, supporters and Ealing Council members for this outcome, especially at a time when the natural environment needs all the help it can get, and young people can feel genuine hope for their future.”

Articstic activities could be hosted at the proposed building. Picture: Lill Architects/Atelier Replica

The Warren Farm Nature Reserve group says it is currently working on the detail of the nature reserve and sports proposal with the council, Natural England, supporters and stakeholders. It is welcoming the Lill’s “exciting and innovative design” as glimpse of what might be possible for the future of Warren Farm Nature Reserve.