New eco-headquarters will be built in Hertfordshire
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 sq m 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.
A BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ is being sought, in particular by creating as near a carbon neutral building as possible, by the low use of energy, use of recycled materials, super efficient heating and energy supplies and a fully integrated sustainable water management system among other design integrations.
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