Eco Headquarters Hertfordshire England : Architecture

5 Jun 2009 ARCHITYPE WINS COMPETITION TO DESIGN NEW ECO-HEADQUARTERS Architype has won an invited competition to design a new sustainable headquarters building and education centre for two environmental charities, Groundwork Hertfordshire and Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. The winning scheme was chosen amidst strong competition from Satellite, White Design, Architecture PLB, BBM Sustainable Design and MAE LLP Architects. Located in Bayfordbury, Hertfordshire, the new 1,150 sqm flagship building will provide office accommodation, conference facilities and spaces for hire, and education facilities for schools, young people, adults and businesses. A new interpretation area for volunteers and educational visits will be designed to link seamlessly with the internal classroom facility and will incorporate demonstration food growing plots, a wildlife walk, greenhouse growing facilities and an outdoor classroom. Both organisations also aim to use the building and gardens as an educational resource showcasing brownfield regeneration and sustainable building techniques. Experts in ecological architecture, Architype is aiming for a BREEAM rating of 'Excellent' and specific aspirations include: - The creation of as near a carbon neutral building as possible. Adopting Passivhaus principles, the building will use passive solar design, low electricity/water use, passive heating/cooling systems and provide excellent qualities of natural daylighting and natural ventilation. - The use of low energy and low environmental impact construction methods and materials involving building materials from renewable sources, the use of re-cycled materials, use of sustainably sourced timber, and the reuse/disposal of materials on site. - Super efficient energy and heating and ventilation / cooling systems. The scheme will be designed for minimisation of use and will involve a mix of technologies to create a near "zero carbon" system including a biomass boiler, earth tubes and provision for future solar and wind installations. - A fully integrated sustainable water management system. This will be designed to minimise consumption / maximise energy efficiency, re-use grey water / rainwater, incorporate water harvesting, water meters and water butts.