Sherwood Observatory Science Discovery Centre & Planetarium.
Design and construction of a new, state-of-the-art Science Discovery Centre and 59-seat Planetarium for the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society in Sutton in Ashfield. The development has transformed a disused underground Victorian reservoir, which was constructed in the 1880s, into an education centre for school and group visits, and features an exhibition hall, classrooms, a café and meeting rooms, as well as the state-of-the-art planetarium – the first of its kind to be built in the UK for more than a decade.
KEY ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE
From the outset, the team wanted to minimise environmental impact, and keep energy costs and carbon emissions low. To aid this, we incorporated a derelict Victorian subterranean reservoir into the final design. Options including demolition of the structure were explored, but through careful optioneering an integrated solution was found, saving 25tCO2e. After excavating around the reservoir, the team reused the earth and locally donated 2,000 tonnes of surplus sand, avoiding another 10,000kgCO2e in raw materials extraction. Another carbon saving feature was the aluminium standing seam roof, selected for its durability and sustainability. Aluminium can be recycled infinitely, using 95% less energy than might otherwise be used, and the solution chosen had 87% recycled content. Together with a 100% renewable energy manufacturing process, the embodied carbon of the product was only 3.36 kgCO2e/kg, with the industry average being 7-10 kgCO2e/kg. The project also achieved an EPC A rating after we undertook a PV panel exercise with the Client, who was unaware that a simple installation of PV panels would render the project Net Zero Carbon – the first building in Ashfield to achieve this milestone. The building also included a green roof, electric car charging points and cycle storage
