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Turner and Townsend project Sustainability Award

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Jun 5, 2007

Turner and Townsend's project for the Forestry Commission, Dalby Forest Visitors Centre awarded RICS 2007 regional award for Sustainability.

At the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Yorkshire and Humber Pro Yorkshire Awards ceremony on 25 May 2007, the Dalby Forest Visitors Centre beat five other short listed projects including the York EcoDepot and Gibson Mill Centre for Sustainability in Hebden Bridge.

Dalby Forest is the largest forest in Yorkshire receiving 300,000 visitors per year, making it a key visitor attraction in the region.

Turner and Townsend provided project management, cost management and health and safety services on the eco-friendly Visitors Centre with total project sustainability was a key driver from inception.

The development was designed to minimise its impact on the environment, wildlife, the village and the visitor's experience.

Sustainability was a focus not only in terms of whole life costs but also on the building's impact during construction and operation, through to the end of its life.

By using timber construction and 'touching the ground lightly', a truly sustainable development was created.

Ultimately the building is designed to be recycled at the end of its life, leaving behind a negligible footprint.

The Visitors Centre was designed to maximise natural ventilation and lighting to make it as energy efficient as possible.

Renewable technologies such as the wind turbine, photovoltaics, rainwater harvesting and on site waste treatment have been incorporated to help reduce the impact the building has on local resources, whilst educating visitors.

The projects success is demonstrated by the Forestry Commission's commitment to use Dalby Forest as a model for the nationwide redevelopment of its visitor centres.

Turner and Townsend Director of Project Management in Leeds, Mike Lumb commented that: 'We are proud of our work on this innovative development at Dalby Forest, which makes a real contribution to the Yorkshire region.'.