14/01/11 - Thomas Vale Complete £1m Ranger and Education Centre

The £1 million building has been designed and built to Swedish PassivHaus standards energy efficiency alongside other materials which will allow the building to breathe naturally hygroscopic building materials are 9 times more effective than mechanical ventilation in controlling indoor air quality.

Also being led by the need to reduce carbon the building fabric ensures that the building is as sustainable as practicably possible, by using a Hemp system for the external walls, a timber support structure and a roof made from 99% recycled aluminum.

In addition the building also incorporates other environmental features such as; a ground source heat pump, wind-turbine, reed beds for the drainage, a pond and gabion retaining walls.

Richard Green, Director at Thomas Vale Construction commented:

“We are pleased to be involved in such a unique building as Apedale Energy Station. By utilizing sustainable technologies and construction methods which allow the building to breathe naturally, it has been conceived as a zero carbon project over its life time. As a result of the long term collaborative approach and relationship between Thomas Vale Construction and Staffordshire County Council hopefully buildings such as these will become the "norm" instead of the exception ”