Construction
Company
The innovative Dalby Forest Visitor Centre in
Yorkshire, built by Miller Construction, has scooped a prestigious
award dubbed the ‘Oscar’ of construction excellence.
The centre, which boasts top sustainability credentials, has won the
coveted Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award at the 20th
annual British Construction Industry Awards.
The awards – which aim to recognise excellence in the design,
construction and delivery of buildings and civil engineering works –
attracted 180 entries. A total of 117 were considered for the Prime
Minister’s award and were whittled down to a shortlist of 18, with
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre coming out on top.
The Centre, near the forest village of Low Dalby, opened in April
and forms part of a major regeneration project in Dalby Forest and
the North York Moors National Park.
Sympathetic to its surroundings, it was built using timber from the
forest itself. It is clad in larch grown and milled in the forest,
its water supply comes from a local spring, and rainwater is used to
flush its toilets. Even its renewable energy sources take advantage
of the local surroundings, with a biomass boiler powered by
woodchips from the forest, solar panels and wind turbines.
What’s more, recycling is well and truly incorporated into the
design with a roof covering made from recycled tyres and inner tubes
and a reception desk incorporating recycled mobile phones, yoghurt
pots and Wellington boots.
Steve McManaman, Construction Manager for main contractor Miller
Construction, said: “We are incredibly proud to see Dalby Forest
Visitor Centre winning an award of this calibre thanks to its
uncompromising commitment to sustainability.
“Entries for this particular award are subject to a rigorous judging
process which considers every aspect of construction, from initial
conception to timely completion – we are delighted that the judging
panel was satisfied that we ticked all the boxes from best practice
and safety to sustainability.”
The Award was presented by Culture Minister Margaret Hodge and was
sponsored jointly by CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built
Environment) and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC).
CABE chair John Sorrell said: “Dalby Forest Visitor Centre is
everything that we should expect from a new public building.
“It inspires those using and visiting it. It adds to the enjoyment
of the places and spaces around is. It brings new business
opportunities. And it shows how great design lies at the heart of
our response to climate change.”
The Centre was built for commissioning authority The Forestry
Commission and the principal designer was White Design.
Email:
lesley.mcivor@beattiegroup.com
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Editor's Note: Miller Construction
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Miller Construction - Win award for Dalby Forest Visitor Centre
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd News Categories : Construction Company |