12/04/10 - Thomas Vale begin works on the New Ranger and Education Centre in Apedale Nature Reserve

The building has been designed to be built to Swedish PassivHaus standards for insulation alongside using materials that will allow the building to breathe naturally “hygroscopic building materials are 9 times more effective than mechanical ventilation in controlling indoor air quality.”

The building fabric has also been led by the need to reduce carbon and to ensure that the building is as sustainable as practicably possible, the external walls are being built using a Hemp system the support structure is timber and the roof is made from 99% recycled aluminum.

The design will not only include all the above, but will also incorporate many different environmental features such as; a ground source heat pump, wind-turbine, reed beds for the drainage, a pond and gabion retaining walls.

Staffordshire County Councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environment, said the Energy Station would be a great community facility. “The new building at Apedale will be a shining example of sustainable construction, using the latest technologies to harness natural energy and operate efficiently. It will also provide a purpose built community facility for school groups, tourists and visitors to the unique Apedale Community Country Park.”

Ian Coombes, Partnership Manager at Thomas Vale Construction, Commented: “Apedale Energy Station is a exciting project for Staffordshire County Council as it has been conceived as a zero carbon project over it’s life time, utilising sustainable technologies and also going back to construction methods that allow the building to breathe naturally. This project is a result of a long term collaborative approach between Staffordshire County Council and Thomas Vale and we are pleased to be involved in such a unique building.”