The National Trust opened the new visitor centre in November 2011 at Morden Hall Park. It is believed that the renovated Victorian stable yard is one of the most energy efficient historic buildings in the country, and was renovated using high standards of restoration work and innovative technology.
Supported by a £990,000 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant and funding from the European Union, the building provides an interactive centre for learning about sustainable green living and new energy-saving products, as well as a community exhibition space, National Trust offices, craft stalls, a café and eco-toilets. Some of the project’s energy efficient aspects include the most up to date solar technology, a wood burning stove which uses wood sourced sustainably from the park, rainwater harvesting tanks, waterless urinals and two types of energy efficient glazing.
The RICS London Awards aim to showcase outstanding talent from the property industry and the Tower of London took the headline award title for its six year restoration project.
The team involved with Morden Hall Park, which includes architects Cowper Griffith, Crofton, the consulting engineer, which was responsible for the structural elements; and Ridge, another engineer that was responsible for the mechanical and electrical aspects, are all extremely proud of this award.
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Barry Woodman (FRICS), Chairman of the London Region Judges said: “The design of the works (at Morden Hall Park) has sustainability at its heart, and many tried and tested as well as experimental technologies have been incorporated into the buildings. This ‘test-bed’ approach is innovative, and should enable the National Trust to introduce sustainable measures sensitively in other historic properties.”
Morden Hall Park Property Manager, Zoë Colbeck, said: “We are so pleased to be recognised by RICS. The design and project teams worked really hard to make the building as innovative as possible whilst also making sure it was user friendly.
“Incorporating energy-saving materials and devices into modern buildings is now common practice, but older buildings present many different challenges, especially when they are listed or in a conservation area. The stable yard will be a source of ideas, information and inspiration to anyone who has an old home or building to renovate or maintain - we want to show people that green living can be incorporated sympathetically into historic buildings, and it can also be fun."
Lisa Stango, Project Architect from Cowper Griffith Architects said: “The design and innovation category was the largest with 25 shortlisted buildings and what a fantastic achievement to come out on top. The team pushed the boundaries at every stage of this project, always trying to think outside the box and it really shows in the final result. The Livinggreen Centre is a huge asset to the local community and everyone involved in the project deserves to be congratulated for what has been achieved.”
Mark Taylor, who was in charge of Crofton’s work on the project said: “It was great to be involved with such a ground breaking project. Its sustainability will ensure that the building is at the heart of the park’s operation for many years to come. We’re now working on the second phase of the project, which involves installing hydro-power onsite.”
There were 57 entries to the RICS London competition enrolled under one of four categories: Building Conservation, Regeneration, Community Benefit and Design and Innovation. The winners will now go on to compete in the national grand final of the RICS Awards which will take place in London during October.
