Straw classroom reaps eco award
An ‘eco-classroom’ made from straw bales and part-funded by the New Forest National Park Authority has won a prestigious award.
National charity UK Youth based at Avon Tyrrell, Bransgore, built a straw bale eco-classroom as a base for environmental activities programmes run with young people.
The building won the Sustainable Built Environment category in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Partnership Awards. The project received a £20,000 grant from the New Forest National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund, with the charity fundraising the remaining £50,000.
Claire Gingell, Sustainable Development Officer at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: ‘Not only is the building made of straw bales but it has a living roof, composting toilet and is in a beautiful setting next to a lake. The building stays cool in summer and warm in winter and has a wood burning stove for added heat when needed.
‘It’s a fantastic example of eco-construction and is a showcase not only for the visitors staying at Avon Tyrrell but for other organisations hoping to introduce environmentally-friendly initiatives.’
Ben Hood, of award sponsor SMART, presented the award to Clair Moir the Avon Tyrrell UK Youth Environment Coordinator and one architects of the original idea, at the awards ceremony in Southampton last week.
He said: ‘The new classroom embraces the principle of education on sustainability through demonstration. It employs a number of building techniques, processes and materials including re-use of old tyres filled with rammed earth, straw bales between the frames and a living roof.
‘The approach not only vastly reduced the impact of the build itself, but also demonstrates remarkable efficiency in its occupancy.
‘Crucially, the judges felt that it also very successfully demonstrates that a quite modest project size should be no barrier to fully embracing the principles of sustainable design and construction.’
Clair Moir said, ‘Receiving this award was a very welcome surprise for what was an interesting journey to complete the build and provide Avon Tyrrell with a dedicated building to support environment learning and activities in a very beautiful location. It is fantastic the strawbale classroom has been recognised for what it is, a sustainable building which fits in with its surrounding environment and we hope all the users and especially young people will enjoy using the building during their visit to Avon Tyrrell.
‘We thank all those involved in the project, especially the New Forest National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund for their generous contribution and the award sponsors for the award.’
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Media Contact:
Hilary Makin, Communications Manager, New Forest National Park Authority
Tel: 01590 646608
Email: hilary.makin@newforestnpa.gov.uk
