 The new Information Centre at Stanpit Marsh has won the award for Best Sustainable Development at the LABC South West Region Building Excellence Awards. The awards organised by the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) are presented for the best and most innovative schemes constructed in the South West. The Information Centre won in this category from a shortlist of five buildings from throughout the region. The architect for the building was White Design Associates, the contractor was Baron G Levine and the developer was Christchurch Borough Council, ably assisted by the Friends of Stanpit Marsh. The citation for the award reads: “The design meets the client’s aspiration to deliver a sustainable building that is fully self-sufficient. It is a low environmental impact building, minimising where possible the use of high carbon materials and maximising the use of timber. Sustainable features include low impact timber construction and cladding, composting toilet, rainwater harvesting, photo-voltaic panels and wind generator. The building is carbon neutral.” Deputy Mayor, Cllr Josephine Spencer, said: “We are delighted to have won this award as it endorses what we set out to achieve with this building – something which fits into the natural setting and which is fully sustainable. A lot of hard work went into the concept and design of the building but to see it in place now as an award-winning building has made it all worthwhile. ”I would like to add my thanks to senior countryside officer, Peter Holloway, who acted as excellent liaison between the architects and the builders to keep things on track.” The Information Centre was opened in September 2008 by the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr David Flagg and the then Chairman of the Friends of Stanpit Marsh, Avril Le Breche. LABC's mission is to ensure that buildings are healthy, safe, sustainable and accessible for all users and tenants whether domestic, commercial or public service. LABC runs local, regional and national awards to publicise customers who design and construct excellent buildings. From 2009, the awards are known as the LABC Building Excellence Awards, which clearly describes what local authority building control is all about - excellence achieved through building standards, technical innovation and sustainable designs. |
