The client required a communal building which offered excellent insulation and energy conservation attributes. Also, the building had to be economical to construct and maintain and be capable of withstanding intensive use used by foreign students employed on its fruit farms.
Special features included the use of:-
large vertical areas of glazing on the southern elevation to obtain maximum benefit from winter sun and daylight all year round
dense wall materials to provide thermal mass
conventional heating backed-up with air source heat pumps
natural ventilation
energy efficient lighting and appliances.
The long, low profile of the building, deep overhang of roofs and the use of traditional building materials were entirely appropriate to the location on the edge of the settlement.
The building was opened at the beginning of April 2013.