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Planning and Design Process
Client’s vision
Create a high quality educational, cultural and leisure facility that celebrates synergy between heritage, and built and natural environments. Promote sustainable building and demonstrate renewable energy use and water management to a wide audience. The brief included residential accommodation, canteen, visitor interpretation centre, classrooms, staff facilities and sustainable energy centre.
Landscape context
The scheme takes the form of a series of small pavilions which are linked, creating a route through the site. As the ground level gradually falls away across the site, the timber pavilions are raised on piloti, positioned to preserve the natural habitat, nestling within mature trees. The metal portals frame key views in the landscape. Pavilions and portals are linked by a walkway forming a promenade through the grove of trees. The pavilions, portals and walkways define landscape courtyard.
Prefabrication
To maximise efficiency, meet the project programme and minimise environmental impact, 80% of the timber frame building was constructed off site using timber from sustainable sources. The prefabricated modules were craned into place and assembled on site. Driving construction off site provided a high quality product and minimum impact on the site. The modules were delivered through April and May 2008, coming together in only two weeks, making this scheme the largest prefabricated modular building in Wales.
Materials
The prefabricated timber volumetric units are clad in UK grown sweet chestnut rain screen as a response to the exposed nature of the site. All claddings are untreated and will take on a silver colour as they age, blending the building into its wooded surroundings. The steel frame portal structures are copper-clad and will patina to an earthy red.
Sustainability Outcomes
Heating and cooling
A passive, sustainable design strategy was developed using the expertise and resources of the Welsh School of Architecture. To minimise heat loss and the need for mechanical services, the building has been insulated to standards in excess of Building Regulation requirements. The external walls have a design U value of 0.23W/m2K, while roofs and floors have design U values below 0.15W/m2K. Space heating is provided by a 150kW wood pellet biomass boiler. The north facing roof-lights also help to maximise penetration of natural light while minimising solar heat gain.
Ventilation
The centre is designed to be naturally ventilated via a combination of opening windows and automatic roof lights.
Water
Rainwater is stored in a below ground tank and is used for flushing WCs and urinals in the public toilets.
Related links
Design Research Unit Wales