15/10/2009 The Sheffield Telegraph Environment Awards 2009

WINNER of the Building and Design category at The Sheffield Telegraph Environment Awards 2009 was AC Liani.

Hosted once again by BBC weatherman and climate correspondent Paul Hudson, the event in the grand setting of Whirlowbrook Hall, recognised some of the many individuals, businesses and organisations who are doing their best to protect and preserve the world we live in.

 The photograph opposite shows Steve Herring and Stuart Young of AC Liani collecting the Building and Design Award from Alan Powell, Editor of The Star, and Paul Hudson of the BBC.

A C Liani was nominated for the award in relation to their work with the Hollowford Centre in the Peak District, which forms part of the Lindley Educational Trust.

When the trust, which helps young people through outdoor learning, wanted to make major changes at the Hollowford Centre, they called on Sheffield architects AC Liani.

The plan was to replace a single-storey bungalow with a new two-storey building, and also to transform and extend a shallow-water lagoon used for canoeing and raft-building.

The building of Back Tor had to be in keeping with the Peak Park character and the finished project more than accomplished that. It is built of natural limestone, with blue slate roof.

Among the many environmentally-friendly features are Sunpipes, a revolutionary way to pipe natural daylights from the rooftop into the building and a rainwater harvesting system was installed to use recycled 'grey' water to flush toilets.

Flooring is linoleum, made from renewable resources, and also incorporates a screed which increases thermal properties. Power from a wind turbine was discounted due to local planning restrictions, but a solar power alternative is still being pursued.

Outside, meanwhile, the lagoon has been significantly extended and improved. All work has been carried out with the intention of protecting and improving the quality of air, soil and water, and conserving the diversity of species and habitat.

The lagoon and adjacent wildlife pond are a big improvement on what was there before and provides an additional benefit.

Before the work was carried out, a good proportion of groups visiting the centre had to travel off-site to water-based locations.

This was in excess of 60 minibus trips per year and means a substantial reduction in road traffic locally.