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West of Scotland Chapter event (29.04.10): BRE Innovation Park @ Ravenscraig

Chapter Convener John Walls reports

In April members received an informative talk on the proposed BRE Innovation Park at Ravenscraig, from Dr David Kelly, Principal Consultant, BRE.  Dr Kelly set the scene explaining that the Buildings Research Establishment had been privatised some 12 years ago. It was set up as a Trust and a non-profit making company: not that they do not have a profit target but the surpluses are re-invested in the building industry and education - in particular, they provide funds for graduates in construction to do PhDs. BRE has a workforce of about 700 people who not only work in the UK but also overseas including Holland and the Far East.

The proposals for the Innovation Park are to promote the latest in sustainable building designs, materials and products. The exhibition park approach was developed in England where the BRE have had a site since 2005. The objective is to display zero carbon buildings or even buildings which produce a surplus of energy which can be fed into the National Grid in a landscaped and sustainable setting.

Naturally the aim is to have a showcase facility for Scottish products and innovation. North Lanarkshire Council has been pro-active in the project and have encouraged the BRE to develop a two hectare site at Ravenscraig.

Sustainability across the whole exhibition
The proposal is being developed from the bottom-up, and everything on site from the services upwards will be part of the exhibition. This will include the landscaping, focusing on native species to maintain diversity; the drainage arrangements, including a porous access road, capturing roof water and sustainable urban drainage systems; and, of course, energy efficient and sustainable buildings. Attention will be given to involving the community and local schools when delivering the development.

There are nine development plots plus a visitor centre. The buildings will be set out to maximize solar gain. Data monitoring equipment will also be installed to measure the energy consumption, occupancy levels and the efficiency of the buildings.

An exhibition that rolls forward
Recognising that nothing stands still, all the buildings will be temporary structures with a three-year life span. They will then be refurbished or removed. The aim is to have constant innovation and updating at the Innovation Park so that it does not become dated. There will also be retrofit demonstrators as it is recognized that retrofitting existing buildings is an important part of improving the sustainable qualities of our existing building stock.

The Innovation Park is targeted to open in March 2011. A number of local firms are already involved, i.e. Build ICF, CCG Scotland, Powerwall and Anderson Bell Christie Architects. It is hoped that the development will help technology transfer as well as provide useful research; the latter to provide accurate performance and costings information which will be of use to builders and developers. An opportunity for an interesting visit next year!

To return to Scottish Planner Extra June 2010 contents page (RTPI Members only), close this window or click here

Author:

James Henderson

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

24-Jun-10

Categories:

Nations & Regions 

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