|
Small World Theatre's aim to build a centre of excellence in Arts and Culture for Development began by working with local architect Olly Llewelyn. It was a joint aim to make the building sustainable.
To describe a building as sustainable, we have taken it to mean:
- Materials used in its construction to come from renewable or recycled sources.
- Materials and labour used, should come from as local sources as possible.
- A reduction to a minimum of material with high embodied energy.
- The energy to service the building and occupants to come from renewable sources
- Minimal renewal or maintenance required during buildings lifetime.
Within a fixed budget it was impossible to achieve all of these aims simultaneously, but work is ongoing and we continually look for ways for improving the efficiency and productivity of Small World Centre.
What has, in practice been achieved is as follows:
- High levels of natural light and ventilation.
- A large percentage of the insulation to be of recycled material producing very low U values ( recycled desiccated newsprint).
- A space heating and cooling system using an air source heat pump producing a ratio of up to 3.5 times heat output to power input. Power input from 'green' electricity.
- Solar water filled panels to assist ion the heating of water for domestic use.
- Installation of a rain water harvesting system which recycles water to the building for toilet flush to the toilets with dual flush facility.
- The use of local timber in the structural frame.
- The re-use of brick available from site demolition.
- The avoidance of the use of structural steel.
- The walls above ground level to consist of timber frame, with lime render on willow lath, limiting the need for the use of cement. Insulation in walls of recycled newsprint.
- Roofs are covered in sedum, which reduces water run off and increases biodiversity.
- All labour from local community.
- Demountable partitions in living room
- Cut and fill in groundwork to obviate off site disposal.
- Passive solar gain from attached conservatory.
- Double glazed windows , argon filled.
- Brownfield site.
We arrange bespoke tours of Small World Centre and have accommodated colleges, architectural students, construction trades, environmental groups, local societies and community organisations in the past. Please get in touch for more information and to discuss your requirements. Contact Julie 01239 615 952 julie@smallworld.org.uk
|
