The Genesis Centre

KEG £750,000 sustainability project reaches milestone

A £750,000 project aimed at boosting sustainable construction and green technologies among South West construction and related SMEs, has just signed its milestone 70th member – the Federation of Master Builders.

It’s a sign, believes Trevor Payne of the Knowledge Exchange at Genesis (KEG) project, that the sustainable agenda is becoming more mainstream in construction, and KEG is coming into its own.

The £750,000 KEG project is led by Somerset College, Taunton, from its landmark sustainable building the Genesis Centre. KEG is funded by the South West European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the South West Regional Development Agency, the College itself as project lead in the region, plus Weymouth College, City of Bristol College and City College Plymouth.

Its remit is to sign up a targeted 75 members and measurably expand their knowledge and application of sustainable construction and environmental technologies.

Trevor Payne, Knowledge Broker for KEG, is well on target with 70th and newest member Ron Willers, Regional Director - South West, of the Federation of Master Builders.

“My members are looking to us for guidance and advice about the Green Deal, about new technologies and more. Becoming a member of KEG means we can pass on information and support available, it’s real knowledge exchange,” explains Ron Willers.

The focus of KEG is on providing tangible assistance of all kinds, making sure members gain knowledge and have the right advice on environmental technologies and sustainability in construction. The project helps them identify their needs and how to address them - either through the member network, or directly through training at the colleges.

For Trevor Payne, this is one of the hallmarks of KEG’s success to date. “Some members are really open to giving advice and sharing knowledge with others, and this is a very valuable resource – amongst others,” he said.

The KEG membership consists of wide ranging renewable technology, construction or construction related businesses - architects, consultants, developers, builders and more. As well as gaining knowledge of sustainable construction and environmental technologies, benefits also include:

Networking with like-minded companies who can help or do business with each other
Being put forward by KEG for sustainable construction projects
Promotion through the KEG website
Being linked to educational establishments which helps raise their profiles
Being kept up to date on briefings, seminars, events
“This country has been slow to change but there’s no doubt the sustainable agenda is becoming more mainstream in construction, and KEG is coming into its own,” says Trevor.

This is the album for one Studio OK's recent project that has earn't them a short listing for an award coming up soon from the Local Authority Building Control in England and Wales.

Community and Children’s Centre, Sidmouth, Devon

The Community and Children’s Centre at Stowford Rise, Sidmouth represents
the fruition of many years of fund-raising and lobbying by local groups,
anxious to provide a social hub for residents in the Sid valley.
The project was commissioned by Devon County Council, in partnership with
East Devon District Council, and with a total project budget of £950,000.
Construction was completed both on programme and on budget
The Centre is designed to serve the diverse needs of the local community as
well as providing a Sure Start and peripatetic medical facility for mothers and
young children.

Accessibility, inclusivity, flexibility and convenience are fundamental aspects
of the design. This ensures that people with reduced mobility, encumbrance
with prams or pushchairs, visual and/or auditory impairment can easily use
the facilities.

Simple sustainable design concepts are employed to maximise natural light
and ventilation, and minimise heat loss, so that the best possible thermal
performance is achieved from the building fabric within the available budget.
Positioning on the site makes full use of the southerly aspect and the
available shelter from prevailing weather fronts.
The encircling soft landscaping controls surface water run-off and moderates
the microclimate, whilst free draining hard surfaces reduce the surcharge on
watercourses.

The heating system is an economical gas fired under-floor system, designed
so that solar thermal panels can be easily added, and/or a wood-chip boiler
substituted, and cable routes are installed for retro-fit of photo voltaic panels.
Bold architectural forms are used in the massing and elevations of the
building, with neatly detailed horizontal timber wall cladding, red pressed steel
facings and bands of clerestory windows at the roof apex, combining to give
the building a confident presence.

Accommodation consists of a hall with kitchen and reception area, and
adjacent children’s centre having secure reception, offices and training rooms.
Total internal floor area is 507 sq metres.

All rooms are at ground level, intuitively arranged with confined areas leading
into tall bright spaces, clear circulation routes, and large multi-purpose hall
easily sub-divided with an acoustic folding screen.

Well done to the Fair Energy team for such a great contract.

£80m Biomass plant deal approved | Fair Energy “Eco 2″ who are behind the £80-million development have bought over 10 acres of the former British Sugar factor, which is currently known as Glanford Vale Business Park.

Cavity Trays Ltd has demonstrated that the best ideas start in Somerset - and has received national recognition for a new product.

The Genesis Project

Hi from the Genesis Team,

We have an important event coming up soon. Please take the time to read more about this
event and see if it could benefit you in any way.

7 October 2011 // 10am - 3pm
Genesis Centre, Somerset College
£120 per person including lunch

Speakers
Rex Ingram - Director of Timoleon and Rainbow Renewables
Jonathan Davis - Director of Granted Consultancy

Rex Ingram will be covering topics including:
What is driving the building codes we have to work with today?
What are the issues driving building heating systems design?
What does EPBD set out to achieve and how will it be implemented over the next 40 years?
What are the incentives to use renewable energy?

Start asking questions and get up to speed. The time for
prevarication has passed. We are here to help.

Heating System Design
www.grantedltd.co.uk

Please call 01823 366 528 to secure your event or complete the CPD Course Booking Form on the website -

http://genesisproject.com/heatingsystemdesign7oct2011.htm

Thank you for your time

The Genesis Team

Welcome the Genesis Centre's page