Our new Chilterns Hills Gateway Visitor Centre is situated within the beautiful landscape of Dunstable Downs and is designed as a welcoming community building, architecturally stunning with a rigorous sustainable agenda. The environmentally sustainable technology includes:

• an underfloor heating system using hot water from a boiler automatically fed with woodchips, which is effectively carbon neutral

• a rainwater harvesting system which collects water from all areas and stores in an underground tank before pumping back into the building to supply the toilets

• an innovative system for natural ventilation and air conditioning. Air is drawn into a 'windcatcher' in the landscape (pictured: top left) and travels through a 100m long underground pipe before entering the building to provide fresh air ventilation. The air is cooled in summer and warmed in winter due to the latent temperature of the earth

The centre combines interpretation and contemplation of the landscape with a rich mix of leisure and educational activities. The building acts as a public viewing deck with a glazed front and a wide terrace overlooking kite flying areas, and the open court frames some of the most outstanding views of the landscape.

www.chilternsgateway.org.uk/