Introduction The Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre lies next to Didcot Power Station in Oxfordshire. It was designed for the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) with the aim to build a centre that would inspire and educate people about their impact on the natural environment.
The centre caters for more than 5000 visitors every year, many of which are school children. It sets a positive example of the alternatives to the usual mainstream approaches to energy, waste and water. In addition to water efficiency features, the centre has other characteristics that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Description The centre has several water efficient features. The rainwater harvesting system supplies 49% of all water, including supplies to the low-flush WCs. Surplus rainwater runs to a soakaway. The ventilated waterless urinal design is estimated to save 70 litres of mains water each day and 20,000 litres per year. A mini reedbed system filters greywater from classroom and kitchen sinks through an underground system.
These features are regularly monitored and maintained by BBOWT at a low cost.
Project team Simonds Mills Architects Elemental Solutions Green Building Store