A fantastic new visitor centre at Stanwick Lakes countryside attraction and nature reserve opened in April 2009 – creating a new landmark building that is expected to attract 250,000 visitors to the region every year.
This design is sympathetic to the constraints of being in a Site of Special Scientific Interest of international renown for its birdlife.
The Centre is a valuable resource for the community and is a great example of a landmark eco-friendly building. Not only empowering conservation, at the heart of the project is community engagement with working parties, young adventurers, outdoor theatre groups and ranger activities – all run as ‘Not-for-profit’ organisation, with all profits reinvested to sustain its environmental objectives.
Environmental considerations include:
• Solar roof panels provide hot water
• A ground source heat pump using water from the adjoining lake to heat/ cool
the building
• Rainwater harvesting by utilising the runoff water to flush the toilets and water
plantlife
• A sedum ‘living roof’ insulates the building and provides a habitat for insects
• A wind turbine is due to be fitted to provide electricity for power
www.stanwicklakes.co.uk
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