THE architects who masterminded Wisbech’s Boathouse Business Centre have made the final five in a competition to design a £2million visitor centre for The Great Fen Project.

Cambs Times: One of the projects being highlighted at COP26 in Glasgow is the restoration on the Great Fen in Cambridgeshire.One of the projects being highlighted at COP26 in Glasgow is the restoration on the Great Fen in Cambridgeshire. (Image: Archant)

Feilden & Mawson has made the shortlist for the contest, which is being run by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The winners will design the visitor centre which will sit at the heart of the Great Fen, located off the B660 between Holme and Ramsey St Mary’s.

The Great Fen, one of the largest restoration projects of its type in Europe, is a 50-year plan to create a huge wetland area in Eastern England.

Stuart Jones, partner at Feilden & Mawson, said: “There were 201 entries and we were thrilled to learn we are among the five teams to be shortlisted for the next stage.

“It’s a delightful concept and it is good news that we have been shortlisted. It highlights what creative talent there is within the firm to produce first-class designs for imaginative schemes.”

Feilden & Mawson’s concept is a visitor centre which “floats” on the Fenland landscape, inspired by the image of water lilies floating on a lake.

It is influenced by the acclaimed Crystal Palace, built in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Designers working in the firm’s office in Prague have joined forces with the UK team to complete the submission.

Architects will present their plans to the judging panel in April.