The Genesis Centre
Architype was commissioned by the Somerset College of Arts and Technology to create a demonstration centre and powerful learning tool to support the college’s foundation degree in sustainable construction.
Location
Somerset, UK
Area
633 m2
Status
Completed
Year
2006
Client
Somerset College of Arts and Technology
When the Genesis Centre opened in 2006, it was viewed as a cutting edge and innovative exemplar of sustainable construction.
The College is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for Construction and The Genesis Centre provides a dynamic focus both for the development of sustainability in the construction curriculum, and for wider dissemination in the industry and community.
The centre has proved highly successful for the college, attracting a wide range of visitors and school parties, together with conference bookings by corporate bodies ranging from the Association of Environment Conscious Building to Clarks Shoes and a Scandinavian furniture design company.
Architype’s visionary interpretation of our requirement for a building which would serve a platform for the delivery of knowledge and skills associated with sustainable construction has exceeded even our highest expectations.
Ian Moore, Genesis Operations Director
Vision
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Design
The concept was to successfully demonstrate the many different techniques and materials available for sustainable construction; straw bale, earth, timber and clay block. The overall design had to be flexible and have the ability to stay at the forefront of modern technological developments.
The Genesis Centre is formed from a series of pavilions, each connected to a central forum space. Boasting different construction methods, each pavilion successfully demonstrates a sustainable form of construction. Externally, each pavilion is fully finished and weather tight, whilst internally sections have been stripped away to reveal and demonstrate the unique fabric build up, which acts as a learning tool for the college students and visitors.
Within each pavilion different facilities are provided which include a lecture theatre, seminar rooms, offices, information centre and exhibition space. The entire centre is designed to easily accommodate future changes through the removal and replacement of any or all of the pavilions.
Here at Genesis we’ve got a pavilion that celebrates, demonstrates and educates about good sustainability.
George Ferguson, Former President of RIBA
Expertise
Architype team
Howard Meadowcroft
Leah Dempsey
Architype
Architype services
Architecture
Perform services
Project partners
Contractor
Russell Construction
Structural engineer
Whitbybird now Ramboll UK
Quantity surveyor
James Nisbet & Partners
M&E engineer
Tandy Associates
Water & energy consultant
Elemental Solutions
Selected accolades
2007–2008 Green Gown Award - Sustainable Construction
Key data
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