National Forest Youth Hostel

RICS East Midlands Regional Sustainability Award 2008.

The first youth hostel built in the National Forest, designed by Pick Everard, won the RICS East Midlands Regional Sustainability Award 2008.

The Legacy Award for Sustainability – East Midlands Constructing Excellent Awards 2008

The National Forest is a forest in the making, contributing to the regeneration of two hundred square miles in its remit and right at its heart, is one of the UK’s top tourist attractions CONKERS. The YHA wanted a new 75-bed hostel that could be built quickly to a high standard. It was to be robust, an exemplar of timber design, using best practice in modern timber construction technology and above all, sustainable. Energy conservation and minimising energy consumption were of prime importance.

With a commanding view of distant countryside, the hostel was located to exploit the site’s southern aspect, maximising solar gains to solar panels and creating suntrap terraces. Using as much natural light as possible saves energy and vertical sash windows provide natural ventilation. Simple techniques using overhangs provide summer shade and winter light yet protect timber cladding. Maximum insulation is achieved by using the full depth of the timber frame and solar thermal panels are set at an optimum operating angle and positioned as ground floor verandas to shade the ground floor public areas and for ease of maintenance. The drainage system is sustainable, rainwater is recycled and an exemplar wood fuel boiler system uses locally sourced fuel. Low embodied energy building materials were used in construction and were sourced locally from the forest. Facilities were designed to appeal to families, young people and educational groups on a budget, with sociable gathering spaces for groups to meet, eat and relax together.