Sustainability at RCHQ
From the outset of the new RCHQ at Park Farm, the intention was to create a site that was
zero carbon, low energy and that considered the various issues of sustainability on the site. River Cottage employed Satellite Architects to develop a holistic approach for the site that would assure nothing went to waste and that all aspects of the energy creation, infrastructure and physical build were realised with maximum sustainability.
Everything from the materials sourced to the systems used strives to have minimal impact on the environment. Through numerous systems like a bio mass boiler that is fuelled with clearings from local forests to the reed beds that naturally process effluent from the site; sustainability has been the primary design focus of the project. The wind turbine supplies some of the electricity for the site and the remainder of the power is provided by 100% renewable resources from Good Energy.
For more information on Satellite Architects click here
Diagram of River Cottage HQ's Sustainability:
Key:BarnThe barn is refurbished with sustainable materials.
Bio Mass BoilerThe biomass boiler uses beech supplied by local Forestry Commission land on Trinity Hill. It creates heat and hot water for the barn, farmhouse and future office.
Bus StopThe bus stop offers a place to wait for transportation to the main site.
Eco Friendly TransportationThe tractor is run on recycled chip fat and takes visitors from the parking area to their event.
FarmhouseThe farmhouse is a 17th century chert building refurbished to assure its sustainability.
KitchenThe kitchen is where everything is prepared for RCHQ events. All refuse is recycled to compost, the wormery or to the reed beds.
Kitchen Garden The kitchen garden produces much of the
OfficeThe office is a temporary building until the sustainable structure is built. |
Production GardenThe production garden provides year round growing space with poly tunnels.
Rain Water TankThe rain water tank holds the water from the farmhouse roof run-off for watering the kitchen garden and flushing the loos.
Reed BedsThe reed beds process and clean the waste from the site that then runs into a drainage ditch once it is clean.
Solar PumpThe solar pump moves the water from the artesian well to a holding tank that then feeds potable water to the main site.
WCThe WC block is a prefabricated, reusable structure that is linked to the reed beds for natural processing of effluence.
Wind Turbine The wind turbine provides some of the electricity to RCHQ; the remainder is provided by 100% renewable resources from Good Energy.
YurtThe yurt is based on a traditional design and made locally. It provides space for a variety of RCHQ events. |
Click here to view Satellite's blogs on the different sustainable systems at RCHQ.
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