The Harris Centre, Walford & North Shropshire College.
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CLIENT Walford & North Shropshire College
LOCATION Baschurch, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 2HL
CONSTRUCTION VALUE £2,200,000
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RICS Awards 2007 Sustainability category - Winner
An innovative green teaching building
The college brief was to produce a building that explores a number of green technologies, and to use these as a teaching and demonstration aid in the area of rural diversification.
The building is primarily constructed from materials scoring A in the BRE Green Guide, and is partially clad in oak grown on the college estate. Additionally, the building is insulated to a standard 25% higher than the building regulations at the time.
Energy conservation systems include photovoltaic panels, wind turbine generator, ground source heat pump and biomass boiler. The college intend to produce their own fuel by growing short rotation willow coppice and Miscanthus crops, and with the waste products of their forestry courses. Read-out displays provide real-time demonstration of energy production and use.
Canopies and solar shading prevent excessive summer heat build up, and the classrooms are naturally ventilated. A rainwater balancing pond provides a new wildlife habitat.
