The architectural firm in charge of redesigning National Wildflower Centre in Knowsley, near Liverpool, has been selected by environmental charity Landlife.

Ian Simpson Architects won the international open competition along with Adams Kara Yatlor Engineers and Hoare Lea Engineers to create a new educational attraction around wildflower gardens. The competition was funded with a £100,000 grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency. The attraction, which originally opened in 2001, is set in the 35-acre Victorian Court Hey Park, five miles from Liverpool city centre. The centre exists to promote the creation of new wildflower habitats and is designed to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of wildflowers to the environment.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), who have helped to judge the competition, said: "The winning proposal is a stunning and powerful design which will work well with the existing buildings at the National Wildflower Centre. This innovative new complex will not only help to significantly improve the National Wildflower Centre offer, but also aims to provide a unique learning environment for visitors. The NWDA is looking forward to seeing the winning design progress to the next stage."