The Greenwood Trust's Woodland College
Community / Educational / Leisure
10 Feb 2005
The GWT is a nationally renowned educational charity, working to promote coppice and green wood crafts, and management of deciduous woodlands. We have been involved with various building projects at the GWT since 1995, when we were commissioned to design the Woodland College. This building prioritised use of local timber alongside modern energy efficient timber frame construction. In 2006 the building was extended to form a cafe / shop area and as part of a whole site solution is heated via a hot water main supplied by a small biomass unit.
"we consider the building to be the heart of the Green Wood Centre, and that it epitomises all that we represent, in terms of sustainability, low energy use, its many and varied uses of timber and green wood, and the relaxation people feel when they use the building." Judy Walker, Director of the Green Wood Centre.
This timber framed building is (still!) one of the most energy efficient in the country. It is a modest classroom and office building, with associated toilets and shower, and store rooms. The classroom contains an innovative pole framed structure which our practice worked on site to build. The college building was completed in 1999.
Other features include:
- locally sourced and processed timber
- cellulose insulation
- on site treatment of sewage using settlement tank, reedbeds and pond
- low flush wc's
- low VOC paints, stains and varnishes
We have also worked for the Trust on eco-renovation of the toilet block, incorporating hot water solar panel system, combined with wood burning stove to heat the toilets and the Trust's offices.
Our Shropshire office is based at the GWT site, allowing us to share skills and collaborate on projects.
Woodland College Details
Until we have prepared a downloadable fact sheet, the full design and technical details of the project can be read on the Trust's web site at:
http://www.greenwoodtrust.org.uk/WoodlandCollege.htm
Fact sheet produced by the GWT woodland_college_fact_sheet.zip (469 Kb) |