Eden Big Build - making it inclusive

The development of the new Education Resource Centre and Staff Facilities building was an excellent chance to look at how to integrate inclusive design in all stages of the planning, design and build.

Key players included the client, Eden Project, designers Grimshaw Architects and construction company McAlpine Joint Venture.

An inclusive approach is an essential part of sustainable development.

Sustainable construction means thinking holistically early in the planning of a project as well as adopting a positive and flexible attitude amongst the members of the project team. This seminar and site visit were an opportunity for people to hear about how the client and design and construction teams have worked together to develop a more sustainable approach to the development of the new Education Resource Centre, taking on board social, economic and environmental criteria.

Jane Stoneham talked about the role of the Sensory Trust in integrating inclusive design principles as a key element of social sustainability throughout the planning, design and construction phases. This had involved writing inclusive design briefs, organising training and running access appraisals. Andy Cook outlined the proactive role of McAlpines in the development of the ERC, and showed how they had worked with the client and design team to develop more sustainable approaches to on-site waste management and construction processes. Jerry Tate explained the role of Grimshaws in developing the design philosophy and subsequent design and showed how they had worked with the wider team to resource more environmentally sustainable materials and building techniques.

The subsequent tours around the ERC looked in more detail at how these various issues had been addressed in the development of the building.

For more information visit the CIRIA website at http://www.ciria.org