Dezeen Magazine

Stonehenge Visitor Centre by Denton Corker Marshall

Dezeen Wire: work finally starts this week on architect Denton Corker Marshall's design for a new visitor centre at Stonehenge, a prehistoric stone circle in England, after years of wrangling and delay, English Heritage has announced (+ slideshow).

Stonehenge Visitor Centre by Denton Corker Marshall

In 2009 the Australian architecture firm won a competition to replace existing facilities branded "a national disgrace", but plans were ditched the following year by the incoming government.

Stonehenge Visitor Centre by Denton Corker Marshall

The design, which was the latest in a string of proposals dating back to 2003 for the World Heritage Site, was later rescued by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Stonehenge Visitor Centre by Denton Corker Marshall

As well as a low-key visitor building, the £27 million project involves the closure and grassing over of the A344 road that runs alongside the monument and the removal of the existing car park, underpass, toilets and other facilities.

Stonehenge Visitor Centre by Denton Corker Marshall

The visitor centre will be constructed away from the stones, with visitors reaching the monument on foot or by shuttle.