Torfaen County Borough Council have constructed an `Eco-Building` on the Springvale Industrial Estate, The project costing £300,000, was part of an European Union project funded from the Interreg IIIB programme which is aimed at improving environmental management on industrial estates.
The `Eco-Building`, designed by architects, White Design Associates of Bristol, was constructed from timber, the walls and roof were insulated using straw bales, sandwiched between plywood; and the domed shaped roof was covered in a rubber membrane.
The `design brief` also included the collection of rainwater from the roof to be used in the toilet systems and the lighting within the building, to be of `low energy`.... thereby minimising running costs.
The building will be used by the Council’s Economic Development team to host a range of environmental seminars, workshops and demonstrations for local businesses aimed at helping them reduce their environmental impact. The facility also includes toilets suitable for both able/disabled persons and an external ramp for disabled persons access.
The Eco-Building was completed on time and officially opened, April 6th 2006 by Councillor Bob Wellington, leader of Torfaen County Borough Council.
.. Eco-Building - Springvale Industrial Estate - Cwmbran ..
In June 2006, due to the interest shown by myself in the project and construction of the Eco-building, I was invited to `have a look around`. Ms. Elizabeth Bewick, an Environmental Technician (Torfaen County Borough Council) was my `amiable and informative host` and gave me a valuable insight to the inner workings and eco-friendly materials used throughout the construction and subsequent furnishings within.
Hmmmm , now what can I remember ?
The Eco-building stands on a previously constructed/used concrete slab.
Decorative block paving along the outside of one wall was resourced/reused.
The outer wooden cladding of the building is Cedar ; chosen due it's inherent properties, being a close grain and `oily` wood, which aids water resistance. It also takes on a `silvery sheen` as it naturally ages.
External, sliding wooden shutters act as a security measure at night and in the day can be utilised as a `sun shade` over the doors.
The `light and airy` building , combined with the cream coloured walls, blue carpet and lilac coloured blinds create and provide a peacefull and calming ambience.
The internal walls are covered with a environmentally friendly paint.
The carpet is made from recycled fibres and has a recycled rubber `backing`.
The conference table and chair frames are made of wood, sourced and managed from `sustainable` forests.
The kitchen sink has been internally resourced/recycled.
The Fridge has an `A` class energy consumption rating.
A microwave cooker was chosen due to it's high efficiency and low energy consumption.
A decorative tiled border made from recycled glass bottles.
Ultra modern florescent light fittings are used - thin tubes (low energy) combined with optimised reflectors, to maximise light.
The two office desks have been resourced/recycled.
The `A` frame communication board uses recycled paper and pens made from recycled materials.
The floor is insulated with a `zero emission` (fumes) foam.
Wooden wall sections are constructed in a modular system which aids manufacture, assembly and future expansion of the building.
The roof and wall sections are insulated with straw bales; the end walls and the top of wall sections that do not have windows set in them, are insulated with a cotton (recycled denim) and wool mixture.
Both `Gable` end wall sections are insulated by utilising recycled `newspaper` fibres (cellulose) .
There is an `observation` panel within one of the wall sections showing the `straw bale insulation`.
Windows are double glazed and are fitted with low-E (low emissivity) glass; low-E glass is a type of insulating glass, which increases the energy efficiency of windows by reducing the transfer of heat or cold through glass. That means in the winter the building stays warmer, and in the summer it stays cooler.
The domed roof is covered in a rubber membrane, which by design, is self draining; an integral `upturned lip` runs along the edge, acting as a gutter, which channels the rain water through a clear plastic pipe (which can be viewed from within the building) and deposits the water into two plastic storage tanks. The water is then filtered, pumped and subjected to an ultra violet light source, which kills any bacteria present, before it enters the toilet cisterns for flushing purposes.
One toilet has been designed to aid disabled persons; the room is somewhat larger to aid manoeuvrability within; the colour scheme comprises of a bluish colour on the walls and the toilet fixtures, hand basin etc; are coloured white to establish a more discernable `colour contrast` suitable for partially sighted uses.
Due to the highly insulated roof and wall construction, the building requires minimal heating; the preferred choice for heating utilises radiators and a `condenser` boiler.
There is an observation window set into the wall of the utility room, which houses the water storage tanks and boiler.
Energy consumption will be monitored throughout the year.
It is envisaged that a wind generator will be added at a future date.
* I politely declined a cup of tea as I recalled seeing a line of `little perforated bags` fluttering in the breeze, near the bike shed ... I thought that was taking the `Recycling concept a little too far!``
Update: August 2006 - A wind turbine (100 watt) and solar panel have now been installed.
The `naturally collected and produced` energy will be used to power the ventilation fans within the toilets and also to pump the `harvested` rain water from the storage tanks through the ultra violet (bacteria killing) lamp, before entering the toilet cisterns.
To view photographs of the Eco-Building during various stages of construction, hover your cursor over each of the photographs to highlight the date and then click to enlarge.
.. August 2007 ..
An `Old but New` addition was the construction of a dry stone wall using Pennant stone, the construction method would add to the `bio diversity` by allowing/encouraging insects and plants to `utilise` the nooks and crannies .
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