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 photo: Architype
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Genesis ProjectWellington Road, Taunton, Somerset, UKWe worked closely with the architect on a competition-winning design for a centre for education in sustainable construction techniques. Different materials were used for the construction of five linked single storey mini pavilions, demonstrating a range of sustainability solutions. At the centre of Genesis is a single storey unbraced sway frame structure, rectangular in plan and clad in curtain walling. This central 'forum' leads onto the four other pavilions made from, respectively, earth, clay, straw and timber. These sit two on each side of the forum’s long elevations, so that the whole is roughly starfish shaped in plan. Designed as a lecture theatre, the clay pavilion is constructed from Ziegel perforated fired clay blocks. The honeycomb network of voids running through each block provides insulation, and block density was carefully specified by the architect to ensure acoustic protection. At the earth pavilion, one wall is made of rammed earth, one of hand-compacted in situ cob and a third of cob blocks. The remaining elevation is open to the forum. Reconciling the interfaces between heterogeneous materials was a key challenge on this innovative project. Building Magazine Award high commendation Sustainable Building of the Year (under £2m) 2006 Civic Trust Award mention 2008 |
