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Solar company to build recycled factory |
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30 Jan 2009, 12:34 PM
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A unique building project is currently taking place on an old timber yard on the outskirts of Battle. Solar UK are currently building a new Eco Factory which will become the new base for the research, development and manufacturing side of the company.
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The Eco Factory will be a recycled structure - previously the building was a public service vehicle training facility at Coventry City College. Built in 2002, it was due for demolition last year to make way for housing in the city.
But director Geoff Fox saw an advert for salvage from the building advertised on Ebay and agreed to buy the entire structure. It was dismantled over a period of several weeks last spring and transported to the new site at North Trade Road in Battle. Every single part of the building was saved right down to the door handles.
The old timber yard at the junction of Catsfield Road had planning permission for a simple large rectangular building but this was abandoned in favour of an ambitious plan to redesign the dismantled building, now a giant jigsaw, in to a seventeen sided structure.
Ground works were designed so that no material left the site during construction.
Underfloor insulation has been recycled from a giant refrigerated unit that was demolished at Gatwick Airport and was destined for landfill, whilst straw bales will be used for wall insulation.
All rainwater will be collected in a large moat or swale at the front of the building and this will be recycled for use throughout the building. Electricity will come from a wind turbine and photovoltaic panels while hot water will be supplied by Solar UK Lazer trackers.
The exterior will be clad in dark green polished granite while the roof will feature a glazed pyramid. Completion is due in late summer.
Credits:: Laura Button / Rye and Battle Observer
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| Positive review of this story |
Tanja  |
17 Feb 2009, 9:59 PM |
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Good to see it is made from recycled material. Living close to it, we were surprised it was not made from our local building material (sweet chestnut), now we know why!
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