A new build visitors hub consisting of café space, reception, kitchen facilities, meeting rooms, welfare facilities, educational sign boards and exhibition space, cliff side observation space and audio equipment hire dock.
Together with external site works including fencing, sensor lighting, soft landscaping (including seeding & grass & flower planting), paving, picnic benches and seating, bike docks and storage facilities on the stunning Rathlin Island cliff tops.
The New Build Seabird Centre, is an environmental feat with a low-life cycle cost base; it boasts a wealth of features including recycled material within its fabric, multi-cycle steel frame, Air Source Heat Pump & water use limiting systems.
The Island setting presented logistical challenges – these were overcome via succinct planning, effective programming & integrated team working.
The project was delivered to enhance Island tourism and facilitate study and enhancement of bird numbers and species on the Island. The success of the project is underpinned by:
- A significant spike in tourism
- The research facilities at the Seabird Centre have enabled the RSPB to work to create ideal habitat for choughs and they have now returned to breed after a 20-year absence. Visitors are able to see Northern Ireland’s biggest seabird colony with puffins and other seabirds jostling for space as they congregate in their thousands to breed from April to July.
