Located just a few steps from the National Trust’s Thomas Hardy Cottage, the newly completed Thomas Hardy Visitor Centre offers an immersive experience into the life, landscape, and legacy of one of England’s most celebrated literary figures. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the centre explores Hardy’s birthplace, the Wessex countryside, and the region’s rich social and natural history through engaging exhibitions and interactive displays.
Working in close collaboration with the National Trust and interpretation specialists, Method Consulting developed the full mechanical, electrical, and sustainability design for the centre. The building features a café and flexible exhibition spaces equipped with extensive AV and interactive technologies that transform how visitors engage with Hardy’s story.
Sustainability was a key focus of the design, with features including a log gasification boiler (eligible under the Renewable Heat Incentive) for low-carbon heating and hot water, LED lighting throughout, and thermal compartmentalisation to optimise energy use.
