The Hive, Worcester

Image: © Philip Halling Taken: 1 Feb 2012

The Hive will be Worcester's new library and history centre and is now nearing completion with it due to open in July 2012 (note a builder on the roof). The building's radical design is proving controversial with the residents of Worcester either loving or hating it. Personally I like it though it can be rather dazzling when a low sun is reflected off it. Here is some information about the building: Environmental assessment - Predicted BREEAM “Excellent” Heating – 700kw biomass boiler, local fuel supply Ventilation - Primarily naturally ventilated Cooling - River water cooling Emissions - 50% reduction on Part L2 Building Regulations, 15.8kg CO2/m2/yr Water management - Water saving and rainwater harvesting, mains water consumption reduced by 75%. Materials - recycled content of the construction (by value) will be at least 22%. Climate impact - Building comfort conditions calculated for predicted weather conditions in the years 2020 and 2050. Structure - thermal mass of the concrete structure assists heating and cooling. Concrete has reduced cement content for a lower environmental impact. Landscape - soft landscape provides public amenity, enhances the urban ecology and adds to the buildings environmental performance. Contents - 12 miles of archive collections - A quarter of a million books - 800 study places - 10,000m2 of public space Design Team: Architects - Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios Environmental Engineers - Max Fordham Structural Engineers - Hyder Consulting Landscape Architects - Grants Construction Galliford Try Construction Information sourced from the www.thehiveworcester.org leaflet.

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