Overall Winner 2010

Full submission available to download here...

EDGE HILL HALLS, LIVERPOOL

This project aims to transform an abandoned rail depot area into student accommodation which includes a greenhouse and is equipped with the latest energy conservation and resource reuse technology.

The rainwater reuse is based on a rainwater harvesting reservoir and a sand bed filter system. Domestic water is reused in a wildlife lake after filtering it through the septic tank and reed bed system. Noise and general pollution does not reach the flats due to the bund area raised around the entire site.

The vegetation selected for the site is mainly local, and intended to require little maintenance. The greenhouse is obtained by the simple mechanism of enclosing the former depot and collecting the rainwater which falls over it.

The majority of the housing units are timber frame structures, some half sunken underground in order to achieve higher insulation and air tightness. The housing units' remaining heating demand is provided by the solar hot water systems on the roof. All the units have green roofs, some being used as green terraces.

The facades of the buildings are provided with special inlets for Swift or Swallow boxes. The canteen provides a space for owls in its roof structure. The corridors are ventilated by tall ventilation chimneys which are equipped with bat boxes at their top.

The halls include a bus stop and underground car parking. The area also contains 4 tennis courts. All units are designed to be reached easily by a fire truck in case of an emergency.