RSPB reserve Rainham Marshes awarded national architecture prize

Rainham Marshes nature reserve has been awarded a major national prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), for the design of its Marshland Discovery Zone.

Known affectionately by the staff as the MDZ, it’s a self contained multi-purpose space intended for use by the public and school groups. Recycled freight containers have been extensively modified by the designers, Peter Beard-Landroom, to offer close-up views of the varied wildlife found on the marshes. Although semi-industrial in nature, they sit comfortably in the medieval landscape.

As a key funder of the Marshland Discovery Zone, Mark Bradbury, Deputy Director of Development at the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation is thrilled that Rainham Marshes has been awarded such a prestigious award.

“Bringing park and wetlands back into life across east London has been a priority for LTGDC and the Marshland Discovery Zone is an exemplar project. With the activity area and panoramic window giving amazing views across the marshland, it is not surprising that Rainham Marshes is now a major tourist attraction welcoming thousands of visitors a year.”

Site Manager Colin Bartholomew said: “We are over the moon that our reserve has been recognised with this award. Here at Rainham Marshes, it’s important to us that we do justice to the incredible landscape by creating buildings which are both sustainable and attractive.”

Doug Benjafield is Chairman of the Veolia Havering Riverside Trust, which was one of the RSPB’s very early financial supporters at Rainham, funding the purchase of the then derelict and inaccessible Rainham marshland from the Ministry of Defence and protecting it for wildlife and people in perpetuity.

Doug is very proud of the long-term role the Trust has played in supporting the RSPB in south Essex. “We have always supported the RSPB in its educational ambitions, particularly in the context of getting young people to understand and appreciate their local environment. In busy, densely populated south Essex and East London, this is especially important and the award winning Marshland Discovery Zone provides ideal opportunities for young people in London and South Essex to become actively involved with and respect the wildlife on their doorstep”.

The Marshland Discovery Zone includes a teaching area and public space for pond dipping and observing marshland wildlife.