Residents build village hall out of straw bales
One of the most sustainable and eco-friendly village halls in Britain is being built using locally harvested straw bales in Neatishead, Norfolk.
The New Victory Hall integrates traditional materials, reclaimed timber and low carbon technologies into a modern design which is strong, enduring and yet aesthetically pleasing.
From 29th June to 8th July villagers will build the hall’s circular meeting room using straw bales and lime render during a ten day community event. They will be working alongside professional ‘pupils’, including local planners, architects, builders and sponsors, all of whom want to learn more about straw bale building techniques.
An open day is being held on July 4th to inspire the community.
Once completed in August 2009, the £510,000 energy-efficient building will be the culmination of more than 10 years of tireless fund-raising by the local community, which has contributed over £120,000 from fund raising events and donations. It replaces the previous village hall, a much-loved but cramped Victorian building, which has been sold to help fund the new hall. Grants totalling almost £250,000 have been secured from, amongst others, the Big Lottery Fund.
The Broads Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund granted £19,000 as 50% funding for the hall’s ground source heat pump.
Ian McFadyen, Project Co-ordinator, said “Straw buildings have a bad press because of the three little piggy’s tale, but we would like to challenge all the big bad wolves out there to come and see for themselves what a fantastic facility this is – it will change perceptions and others will surely follow. This is a rare opportunity for people to be inspired by, and help construct, a community building and it will further increase the sense of ownership that the local villagers have in this unusual and exciting project. We are enormously grateful to all the local people, farmers and sponsors who have made it possible”.
James Bond, Project Architect, said “It is extremely gratifying to work with a client who insisted on an environmentally responsible approach from the outset. The new hall is contemporary in appearance yet has an appropriate feel for a rural setting. The use of straw bales has made this project particularly unusual and exciting. We have used the bales ‘traditionally’ in the form of building blocks for the meeting room, in combination with a timber frame for the main hall and I’m delighted with the outcome”.
23/06/09
