Back     Latest news from Green Building Press    Subscribe to our newsletter

Strawbale And Cob School Extension

Posted: 19/10/2005

Staff and pupils at Padstow School will soon become actively involved in the construction of their new ground breaking building extension. On Thursday October 20th, children will be able to work directly with Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce of ‘Cob in Cornwall’ preparing and applying cob to the walls of the new building. The children will also be given a tour of the building which utilises strawbale in its construction.

The building incorporating a new staff room and peripatetic music classroom is thought to be the first commercial building in Cornwall constructed using straw, Cob and timber. Designed by Bodmin based international award winning Architects ARCO2 Architecture Ltd, the building boasts super-insulation, a partial ‘green roof’ and uses various renewable and recycled products in its construction. The environmentally friendly nature of the building makes it an ideal educational tool for the children who can join teachers and governors practising what they preach regarding care for the environment.

Martin Penk from ARCO2 commented “we are delighted to be involved with another school project of this kind. It is so important for children to have practical understanding of what it means to be ‘green’. We hope that the building and this demonstration day will educate and inspire as well as provide a hands-on experience of traditional methods of construction.

Mr Phillip Banks, Head teacher, said “This has been an amazing opportunity for our children to be a part of the design and build process and to be able to understand why we have chosen certain materials and what it really means to be environmentally friendly. As well as this they have the opportunity to learn new skills and actually build their own school, something I am sure they will never forget!”

The principal contractor for the project is Bodmin based T&D Carter Ltd. They have successfully developed skills and knowledge working with alternative building methods incorporating strawbales.

Dave Carter Director of T&D Carter Ltd said “this has been a great experience for us and we are delighted to be working alongside ARCO2 and Cob in Cornwall on such an exiting project. We look forward to the end result.” The building is due for completion in November 2005.

Green Building Press  
 

Back     Latest news from Green Building Press    Subscribe to our newsletter

1006