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Building Regulations and Accreditation
News Release from: Forestry Commission | Subject: Abbeyview Low Carbon Community Office
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 October 2005
New environmentally friendly office
opens
Built with a variety of sustainable Scottish timbers, insulated by straw bales, and roofed with turf, a new and very different community office opened for business in Dunfermline.
Built with a variety of sustainable Scottish timbers, insulated by straw bales, and roofed with turf, a new and very different community office opened for business in Dunfermline The environmentally friendly office is designed to generate less greenhouse gas emissions during the construction phase alone compared to that of a similar sized build made from more traditional materials such as steel, brick and block
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 23 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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It is already reported to have saved the generation of nearly 70 tonnes of carbon in timber.
The building at Abbeyview, Dunfermline was built by Community Construction Scotland and is owned by Community Self-Build Scotland (CSBS), as part of the regeneration master plan for Abbeyview led by Fife Council, and is an excellent example of how simple and affordable design can assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to building with steel, concrete, brick and block.
CSBS received funding from the Objective 3 Partnership Scotland and New Deal to provide training for local young people who assisted in the construction of the Office and obtained SVQ's in Carpentry and Joinery at Dunfermline's Lauder College.
Further reading
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The Scottish Executive wants more joined-up woodlands in Scotland.
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Over twelve thousand hectares (30,000 acres) of new woodlands were planted in Britain last year, helping to bring our forest cover to the highest level it has been in over 300 years.
On opening the Community Office, Councillor Robert Young stated that he was delighted with the project and hoped that it would be the first of many such projects in the Abbeyview area.
Councillor Young went on to praise the young people who had been involved in the building of the office.
CSBS development manager, Jess Christman explained; "We are grateful for the grant funding of the project provided via Fife Council, Fife Special Housing Association, Communities Scotland and The East of Scotland European Partnership".
"The Community Office has small units available for lease to local Social Economy organisations".
"Through our subsidiary Community Construction Scotland (CCS), we are now committed to building sustainability and supporting long term training".
"CCS has now taken on two of the trainees that worked on the Community Office as Apprentice Joiners".
"The design we have demonstrated in this building is appropriate for affordable housing and CSBS is delighted to have received grant funding from the Energy Savings Trust to support the next phase of this low carbon demonstration project.
With our partners at Fife Special Housing Association and Communities Scotland, we are developing proposals to build a low carbon demonstration house next door which aims to be energy efficient, affordable and suitable for use by Housing Associations across Scotland".
Stewart Christie, Fife Councils Locality Manager for Abbeyview commented; "When I first spoke with CSBS about the project a couple of years ago, I was struck, not only by its environmental qualities, but also by the opportunity it would give for a number of young people to gain new skills and qualifications.
I think some people may have been skeptical to start with as it was such a unique construction in this part of the country.
However, the level of interest in the project from all over the country has been fantastic".
Gordon McLaren, Chief Executive of the East of Scotland European Partnership said; "The Abbeyview Low Carbon Community Office is an exemplary project in that it encompasses not only all the essentials of Sustainable Development, but is an innovative response to local community needs.
The project partners including CSBS , Fife Council, the Forestry Commission and in particular the Abbeyview Regeneration Forum are to be congratulated for their vision and commitment in delivering this novel pilot project".
Dr Bob McIntosh, Director, Forestry Commission Scotland, added; "The Forestry Commission Scotland is delighted to have supported this project which reinforces our commitment to sustainability, innovation and the creation of opportunity.
This building shows just what can be achieved when sustainability, and local products and processes are at the heart of the design and construction process.
In this building we can see and appreciate practical and attractive design that maximises the use of timber and timber products made in Scotland.
It highlights the strength and aesthetic qualities, and supports Scottish jobs in growing, harvesting and processing the timber".
"The low carbon office is a clear indication of what can be delivered as part of the Scottish Executive's commitment to tackle climate change through minimising the carbon impact of our activities.".
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