Published on Wednesday 15 September 2021
A large timber frame for the Durley Environmental Innovation Hub’s main building will be craned into place at the end of September.
The hub has been designed to be a space dedicated to achieving a step-change in the reduction of waste and elimination of single use packaging across the BCP Council area. Highlighting the impact of single use plastic packaging and waste on our seafront, the hub will take a lead on recycling in public spaces and focus the council’s efforts to educate and change behaviour along the seafront. It will feature interactive displays and link closely with the Leave Only Footprints campaign.
The hub main building is being built to Passivhaus standards; a recognised build-design meeting high environmental standards. The design decreases the energy needed to operate the building. This is achieved through high levels of insulation and efficient heating, cooling and ventilation technologies. Recycled newspaper will be used to insulate the main buildings on the site. Solar photovoltaic(PV) panels will be used to provide power to the site with a new connection to the grid. Bris-soleil architectured shades will provide cooling to the rooms below in summer, and allow solar gains in winter. All of these aspects of the hub build support the council’s corporate objective for a sustainable environment.
Councillor Mohan Iyengar, Portfolio Holder for Tourism said "This is a key moment for this landmark environmental build on our seafront. The hub will be a part of how we pursue our environmental vision, and I am delighted that with the arrival of the frame we are on target to open in 2022."
Most of the materials used in the construction of this project have been sourced locally, some from recycled sources. Similarly, many of these materials are recyclable for future use. Material recycled from former groynes along the seafront will be used in the cladding of the main building and in the construction of the decking area and fencing.
The walls of the kiosk and toilet block are already completed. These are constructed using low carbon concrete forming layers of different textured local sands and aggregates reflecting the geological layers in the cliffs along the seafront.
Behind the building, on the canopy roof and within the decked area, planting will complement the natural vegetation on the cliff. As well as being visually pleasing, this will also create opportunities to benefit local biodiversity, carbon fixing and reduce surface water run-off.
During the craning works, the promenade will have a one-week diversion. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to safely pass the site using a temporary hard surface while heavy machinery is operating at the site.
For the latest information about the Durley Environmental Innovation Hub, visit our website: https://bcpseafrontprojects.net/durley-chine/