Construction firm Mansell is working with Quakers trustees to create an eco-friendly renewable energy centre in Birmingham.
The renovation of a run-down building in Church Road in Northfield – part of the Bournville Village Trust – gave the Quakers (the Religious Society of Friends) the chance to incorporate cutting edge technologies to make it energy efficient and demonstrate to local people how environmentally sustainable homes work
Designed by Bournville Architects, the eco centre includes practical displays and working demonstrations of how to save energy. There is also a garden which will demonstrate how to grow food, create compost and save water.
A formal turf-cutting ceremony was performed to mark the start of work on the ambitious project, which is due to open later this year.
The project includes a green turf roof over the building extension, cavity wall insulation, water-based paint, triple-glazed windows, low energy lighting, solar panels for water heating, water saving WCs, underfloor heating, roof insulation, recycled kitchen units and recycled building materials.
Mansell regional head of partnership housing Simon Liversage said: “The sustainable approach to house building is the way forward. Bournville Village Trust has been in the vanguard of sustainability projects, and working together we are creating a building which will provide the local community with a centre where they can learn more about being environmentally-conscious.”
