Dalby Forest Visitor's Centre

Main Contractor:	Miller Construction	Site Location:	Dalby Forest, Low Dalby, North Yorkshire (map)
Client:	Forestry Commission	Project Type:	New Visitor Centre

Project Description

Build It Green was appointed as principle sub-contractor to manufacture and construct the new flagship visitor centre for the Forestry Commission.

Dalby Forest is situated in a sensitive woodland setting on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park.

Build It Green provided the structural envelope for the centre which integrates some of the latest sustainable technologies in architecture, structural engineering and civil engineering.

The new visitor centre was constructed from a piled foundation system by ScewFast, pre-engineered timber floor cassettes, structural insulated panels for the external walls and roof areas and a glu-laminated braced frame all designed and manufactured by Build It Green.

The floor, wall and roof sections were pre-assembled in Build It Green's manufacturing facility, this prefabricated solution reduced time on site, site traffic and the impact on the nearby village, wildlife and visitors during construction.

The design of the Visitor Centre incorporates a naturally ventilated Atrium, which not only provides an impressive foyer and meeting place, but also allows all connected spaces to be naturally ventilated. High levels of insulation (incorporated in the Build It Green Structural Insulated Panels) reduce heat loss and energy consumption. To further improve energy conservation a micro wind turbine was employed and a bio-mass burner was installed which burns sustainable sourced wood chips.

The main roof is covered with an inert single ply membrane off which rainwater can be harvested to flush the large number of WCs. This dramatically reduces the volume of water taken from the village well supply.

Winner of the 2007 Best Public Building

Margaret Hodge, Minister of State for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism, named the Visitor Centre as this year's best public building.

With uncompromising commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability, the Forestry Commission and designers White Design have created an exceptional building that stood out from a strong shortlist of 18 projects.

» Read the Press Release

The Dalby Forest Visitors centre has also received the Institution of Engineering and Technology award; being recognised twice in the recent innovation awards winning runner up awards in both the built environment and sustainability categories.

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