Modular visitor centres, retail & hospitality units
Be it a sustainable café, an upmarket restaurant, workshop or retail space, or welfare facilities, our ARC visitor centres provide a quality welcoming environment all year round, and can be installed with minimum disruption to your normal services.
Green Unit and its sister museum-design company SolidArt have a long tradition of working with the museum and heritage sector. We understand the cost, aesthetic, community and environmental factors that contribute to a successful funding bid.
Beautiful, low-rise, green roofed visitor centres
Places of great beauty deserve sensitively designed buildings. From the outside, the ARC building’s curves blend into the natural environment, while from the inside expansive windows afford stunning views. The modular construction lets you choose your own layout, starting as small as you need to, and extending the building to suit your own timeframes. Our catalogue of interior decor options also gives you the freedom to choose a style that suits your needs.
To discuss your project, call 01865 803101.
Interpretation and display design
Our sister company Solid Art has undertaken interpretation projects for numerous museums and visitor attractions including outdoor trusts and churches. Let us know if we can help.
Bespoke furniture
Our in-house cabinet makers can also design and make bespoke furniture including reception desks that reflect the uniqueness of your property or collection.
Download the Green Unit brochure or download our price guide.
To enquire about an eco-friendly, modular visitor centre or retail unit, please fill out this form.
Alternatively explore our FAQs or view our videos on our YouTube channel.
Green Unit buildings Traditional buildings Planning permission Classed as permanent or temporary where permanent planning consent is impossible Full planning consent usually required for permanent buildings Foundation type Lightweight building on helical piles requires minimal ground preparation and disruption Soil removal, engineering and concrete pour usually costly, time consuming and disruptive Speed of installation Pre-made, pre plumbed, buildings are quick to install with no cost escalation Lengthy preparation, first , second and finish fixing stages with cost escalation risk Energy performance Highly insulated, climate controlled with air heat exchanger and triple glazing At risk of energy loss by air leakage and cold-bridging through walls and widows Sustainability Timber construction, sheep’s wool and green roof produce negative carbon footprint Materials and production processes require heat energy, heavy transport, produce CO2 Design configuration and reconfiguration Modular design allows unique individual configuration and low-cost reconfiguration choices Bespoke design and reconfiguration time-consuming and costlyAdvantages
Comparison
Configuration options
• Pop-up café, boutique shop or ticket kiosk for up to 6 adults
• Retail, café or visitor reception for up to 12 adults
• Retail, café, reception or visitor centre for up to 24 adults
• Retail, café and visitor reception for up to 42 adults
Entry door options
• French doors to side of building
• French doors to front of building
• French doors to rear of building
• Single door to rear of building
• Combination of end and side doors
Window options
• Front/rear feature window
• Roof window
• Wall window
• Mansard window (combined roof and wall windows)
Room options
• Meeting room
• Kitchen
• WC and disabled
• Store room
Layout options
• Straight
• T-shaped
• Double barrelled
• H-shaped
• Complex of multiple buildings
Furniture options
• Built-in sideboard units
• Built-in desks and benches
• Built-in storage systems
• AV and lighting system options
External finishes
• Lime render
• Red cedar cladding
• Decking in a range of dimensions
Internal finishes
• Varnished or painted pine walls
• Fabric-covered dividing walls
• Flooring in rustic oak, white oak, dark walnut, tile, vinyl or carpet
• Solid panel door in oiled oak or limed oak
• Frosted or clear glass panelled doorPrice Guide