Zwin Natuur Park, Knokke-Heist

Construction of a touristic and educational nature centre and of a bird observatory for the visitors of the Zwin natural park, in Occidental-Flanders, at the border between Belgium and the Netherlands.

Information Sheet

New Build Zwin Natuur Park   www.zwin.be

Location Knokke-Heist, Belgium.

Project Cost 5.8 million € (co-funded by the European Union).

Time Frame Competition: 2011. Design: 2012-2013. Opening: November 2016.

Owner Province of West Flanders, and the Nature and Forest Agency of the Flemish region, Belgium.

Architect(s) Coussée Goris Huyghe Architecten, Belgium   coussee-goris-huyghe.com  •  GAFPA, Belgium   www.gafpa.net

Seat Count A visitor centre with a 90-seat auditorium, a 200-seat multifunctional room, an exhibition space and a cafeteria. A bird observation centre. Outdoor auditorium and resting areas. Total area: 600 m².

Uses A touristic and educational nature centre aiming at optimising recreation and ecotourism.

Services Comprehensive acoustic consulting services from design to completion. Soundscaping studies for the Zwinpark.

Team Thomas Wulfrank, project manager, Kahle Acoustics.

01/12Zwin Natuur ParkStork perches have been installed on the outdoor resting area of the visitor centre. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
02/12Zwin Natuur ParkThe visitor centre of the Zwin natural park. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
03/12Zwin Natuur ParkExhibition hall in the visitor center. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
04/12Zwin Natuur ParkLower part of the exhibition hall. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
05/12Zwin Natuur ParkThe 200-seat multifunctional room with its glazed back wall, behind which one can access the visitor center and the outdoor auditorium. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
06/12Zwin Natuur ParkThe 200-seat multifunctional room as seen from the back. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
07/12Zwin Natuur ParkThe Anatomical theatre, a 90-seat auditorium for lectures and video projections, conceived by the designer Koen Van Synghel, is accessible at the end of the exhibition hall. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
08/12Zwin Natuur ParkThe cafeteria of the visitor centre. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
09/12Zwin Natuur ParkAn all-wood outdoor auditorium above the visitor centre. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
10/12Zwin Natuur ParkPath leading from the visitor centre to the observatory centre, the second building of the park. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
11/12Zwin Natuur ParkView over the Zwin from the observatory. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
12/12Zwin Natuur ParkThe Listening dune in the Zwin nature park. Photo © Kahle Acoustics