Dinton Pastures’ new £2.4 million Dinton Activity Centre, designed by HLM Architects, has officially opened its doors to the public. The building replaces Wokingham Borough Council (WBC)’s previous activity centre and is its first net-zero-carbon building, boasting many eco-friendly features and aligning with the council’s ambition to become fully net-zero by 2030.
The two-storey centre has an activity hall, coffee shop, lake side terrace, meeting rooms, ‘changing spaces’ facility and cycle parking. Notable eco-friendly features include windcatchers and solar panels on the roof and air source heat pumps, which will significantly reduce the overall energy demand. The outer building’s Siberian larch cladding will not only weathers over time to blend with its natural surroundings but is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Seventy-two per cent of the building was completed offsite using modern methods of construction by modular building specialists Reds10. The modular units were constructed in the Reds10 factory in Driffield Yorkshire, with 16 modular frames being built and transported to Dinton Pastures Country Park and then lifted into place.
Alex Pullin, Project Architect at HLM Architects, said: “We are pleased to have played a role in bringing forward the council’s first net-zero-carbon building into fruition. This new centre is not only a valuable asset to the community recreationally but also sets a strong benchmark for sustainability and eco-friendliness. This is further complemented by its design, centred around nature and blending in with the natural landscape to further connect building users to its park setting.”
