Margate Caves

Community, Arts and Learning

How can a derelict chalk cave and one-time Victorian tourist attraction become a new community hub in a deprived area of Margate?

Approached by a local community group that opposed a potential housing development over the historic site, Kaner Olette undertook the challenge of reinvigorating the site as both an entrance for safe access for the caves themselves and to create a much-needed heart for the local community.

The result is a RIBA MacEwen Award commended building, in a striking dark and chalky brick, that drew in 5000 visitors in its first two weeks through its cavern-like recessed entrance and offers a haven for numerous local groups.

The building form and position have been carefully optimised to enhance the street presence whilst enabling ease of access on this tricky site.

  • Completed: 2020
    Location: Margate, Kent
    Context: Site of former vicarage - lost to WW2 bomb damage; Former chalk mine converted to tourist caves, Neolithic archaeology

    Client: Margate Caves Community Education Trust
    Funder: National Lottery and National Lottery Heritage Fund
    Project Manager/QS: Betteridge & Milsom
    Structural Engineer: The Morton Partnership
    Services Engineer: Hawden Associates
    Caves Engineer: Graham Daws
    Contractor: Breem
    Exhibition Design: Graphic Alliance

    Photography: Richard Chivers

    Awards: MacEwen Award (Highly Commended); Margate Civic Award; Civic Trust Award Regional Finalist; RICS

    Publications: RIBA Journal

  • "Kaner Olette have taken the time to really understand our needs, the complexity of the site requirements, along with the implications of having a variety of stakeholders. They really understand capital community projects, take time to listen and provide excellent advice and information, both when it is needed and when they say they will."

    Sarah Vickery - Chair, Margate Caves Community Education Trust

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