Built in 1938 as a Winter Garden, the building had fallen into disuse and threatened to become a decaying eyesore.   Happily, rather than choosing demolition it was decided to renovate the building and give it a new lease of life as a sub-regional centre for environmental action to deliver the national agenda on environmental sustainability and to act as an exemplar to organisations in the local and regional community.  

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The original west façade  has been restored and new accommodation has been added on the east to provide a lively café and new glazed circulation routes with open views to the garden areas give light and airy access to the restored accommodation.

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Located in a prominent location on Blackpool’s south promenade the project sits in a four acre garden which has been sub-divided into 10 diverse wildlife areas as a teaching and study resource for local schools and the community at large.  

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The project incorporates two wind turbines, photovoltaic cells, a combined heat and power unit, solar water heating and the latest insulation and energy conservation technologies as a result of which the building generates all the energy needed for its own use.