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

We have a proven track-record in delivering natural low-impact materials as part of mainstream solutions.

Natural Materials

How can natural, low-impact materials be effectively integrated into projects?

Innovating with Natural Materials

Vision

All vision

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

Add a Title

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

How we are building on 40 years of innovation to address the challenges of the future

Architype Beyond 40

Architype

What have we learned in 40 plus years of practice?

Inspiring natural builders

This was designed to inspire the natural builders of the future, and bridge the sustainable construction skills gap.

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.