Green Rivers Community Centre : Information

Green Rivers Community Centre, Walsall, UK 2009- Sjölander da Cruz Architects Green Rivers Community Association, in association with Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, have engaged Sjölander da Cruz to help deliver a new building for themselves and Pleck Boxing Club. The two organisations are hoping to work together to create a vibrant new facility for the community in Blakenhall on Green Rivers Existing site next to the Wyrley and Essington Canal. Through consultation sessions, the brief for the building has been refined to create an efficient design which maximises the potential for sharing space, and strengthening links, whilst allowing the two organisations to retain their distinct identities. The ambition is for the building to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating, and set new benchmarks locally for environmental sustainability. We have worked in collaboration with low carbon consultants to prepare the feasibility study. Materials have been selected for their aesthetic qualities, and environmental sustainability and longevity. A green roof, planted with native grasses and wildflower species is proposed for the majority of the roof area of the centre, providing additional habitat for local wildlife, reducing storm water run off from the building, providing additional thermal mass to the roof and aiding in the removal of pollutants from the air and rainwater. Above the main Sports Hall light and wind scoops direct natural light and ventilation into the heart of the building, providing a dramatic roof top feature whilst reducing running costs of the building and reducing the energy consumption of the new building. Over the Community Hall is included a number of helical, vertical axis wind generators. These offer a number of advantages over traditional horizontal axis wind generators as they are better suited to the conditions in urban environments working more efficiently in turbulent urban winds and significantly reduce vibration and noise. Green Rivers Community Centre Walsall images / information from Sjölander da Cruz Architects 250309