TV personality Alan Titchmarsh opens UK's first ever tree house study centre in the New Forest
25 September 2008 |
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TV presenter and gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh officially opened the UK’s first ever educational tree house study centre on 25th September 2008.
The ground-breaking sustainable building situated in the picturesque Beaulieu Estate in the New Forest, Hampshire attracts more than 8,000 children and young adults from across the region each year to this unique learning experience.
SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, supported the design and construction of the New Forest Treehouse Study Centre as part of its South East Excellence programme and was one of the main funders. providing a grant of £180,000. The Study Centre cost over £600,000 in total to build and is owned by the Countryside Education Trust (CET).
Samantha Sherwood, an architectural student from Oxford Brookes University designed the concept for the Centre following a region-wide competition run by the Solent Centre for Architecture + Design and funded by SEEDA.
The Centre stands over 11 metres high and uses innovative sustainable design techniques such as photovoltaic panels for lighting in the office, rain water harvesting and biomass boilers.
The final design and construction of the Centre were carried out by Blue Forest tree house specialists, based in Wadhurst, East Sussex.
"The project is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the South East region’s design community, particularly graduates coming into practice,2 commented Miranda Pearce, SEEDA’s Urban Renaissance Manager. 2As well as being sustainable, it really conjures a sense of excitement and adventure, and has the potential to be a hugely inspirational place for children and the wider community."
David Bridges, CET's Director, added: "We always wanted the tree house design to be inspirational and sustainable and an education in itself. Now we have the reality, and it is more amazing than we could have imagined! Everyone's reaction, whether young or old has been 'wow'. I am delighted."
To find out more about the Study Centre then contact the CET on 01590 612401 or visit the website which is www.cet.org.uk.
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