The winning team selected for the estimated 25,000-to-50,000 contract will draw up a landscape conservation management plan covering RBG Kews 202ha Wakehurst site near Ardingly in West Sussex.The study will review and update an existing landscape conservation management plan which was drawn up in 2010 before significant changes in the future direction of Wakehurst as Kew's wild botanic garden and living laboratory occurred.According to the brief: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) requires a Landscape Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the Grade II* Registered Park and Garden of Wakehurst and the wider landscape and reserves. The plan will cover the past, present and future of the designed landscape at Wakehurst including the period since Kew took over management in 1965 to the present day.AdvertisementIn 2018 Kew's strategic objective for Wakehurst was to be a 'world-leading botanic garden' which requires purpose and ambition beyond the local leisure market - an approach epitomised by the transformative and celebrated Millennium Seed Bank, constructed in 2000.To grow this vision further and make it reality, Kew have spent the last four years developing a robust masterplan for Wakehurst, which sets out a clear strategic path to grow the site into a world leading botanic garden with a focus on science and education. The aim is to transition the site from the local to the national stage becoming an exemplar attraction and world leader in horticultural research.RBG was founded in 1840 on the site of a former Royal estate overlooking the River Thames in west London. The visitor attraction and botanical research centre features 27,000 different plants in its collection including around 14,000 trees. Donald Insall restored RBGs Decimus Burton-designed 1863 Temperate House five years ago.Contemporary architectural features on Kews south west London estate include Wolfgang Buttress and BDP Hive pavilion originally created for the 2015 Milan Expo, John Pawsons 2006 Sackler Crossing, Wilkinson Eyres 2006 Davies Alpine House, and the 2008 Kew Tree Top Walkway by Marks Barfield Architects.The search for a design team comes three years after RBG Kew announced a new 4 million architectural services framework covering a range of improvement, refurbishment, and conservation projects across its main 132ha UNESCO World Heritage Site in London. Winning teams included Acanthus Clews Architects, Martin Ashley Associates and Hugh Broughton Architects.AdvertisementBids for the latest commission will be evaluated 80 per cent on quality and 20 per cent on price. Applicants must hold public liability insurance of 5 million and professional indemnity insurance of 2 million.Competition detailsProject title Commercial Development at Otford Road, Sevenoaks - Architect and Principal DesignerClientContract value 25,000-to-50,000First round deadline Midday, 12 February 2025Restrictions TbcMore information https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/a8b61b59-9d23-4bac-8618-e6bcc248eb68