Wildernesse Restaurant: Modern Timber Pavilion Earns Wood Awards Recognition
Wildernesse Restaurant, a timber-vaulted, metal-skinned pavilion, has been added to the historic Wildernesse House in Sevenoaks, Kent. Designed by Morris & Company, this contemporary dining space blends classical forms with modern construction methods, earning a Highly Commended status in the 2019 Wood Awards.
The restaurant, which aims to recreate the pavilion typology of a conservatory, extends into external dining areas framed by a courtyard and an orchard. Internally, timber vaults and CLT arches sit atop a grid of glulam columns, creating a rhythm of arches that define large glazed openings. A central elevated lantern houses the open kitchen, flooding the space with light. Carr Grange Joinery Limited installed the vaulted ceilings, exterior timber cladding, and feature wall panelling. The outer metallic skin of the restaurant contrasts with the solid masonry plinth, tying the building to the existing house. The site, within the Wildernesse Conservation Area, boasts a rolling landscape, high-quality trees, and sweeping views.
Wildernesse Restaurant, a contemporary addition to the Grade II listed Wildernesse House, offers an exquisite dining space with the transparency of a traditional glasshouse. Its blend of classical forms and modern efficiency has been recognised in the Wood Awards, providing a unique dining experience for the Wildernesse Estate retirement community.
