Technical information

What makes the Learning Centre green?

The new building has been designed to be carbon neutral and one of the greenest buildings in the country.

Every element of this innovative building has been created with the environment in mind.

• The rainwater harvesting system and water-efficient toilets will reduce the building’s water consumption.
• The fabric of the building is constructed primarily of natural and unprocessed materials, avoiding use of those containing CFCs, HCFCs, volatile solvents etc. Materials emitting toxins, formaldehyde, harmful wood preservatives, solvent paint and man-made mineral fibre insulations have been avoided.
• Using energy from renewable sources only, and feeding excess power into the National Grid, the building will save the production of 75 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, enough to fill 16 Olympic–sized swimming pools.
• A small, domestic wind turbine converts wind energy into electricity which is used within the building, and powers other technologies.
• The minimal heating requirements are being supplied from a ground source heat pump.
• Construction includes the use of super-insulated building fabric and materials such as wool insulation. High construction standards will reduce air leakage to a minimum.
• High thermal mass to the internal floors will reduce the ‘thermal flywheel’ effect and stabilize building temperatures.
• Some internal mass walls are low energy to benefit the internal atmosphere.
• The organic form of the building responds to the natural contours of the site, built into the slope of the land to create a more intimate scale, minimizing its impact on the garden.
• The design acts as a thermal moderator, significantly reducing the amount of energy required to maintain the ambient temperature throughout the building. The serpentine shape opens the building up to the south providing passive solar gain for space heating and evacuated-tube solar panels.