WRW Construction’s State of the Art Discovery Centre at Margam Park for Neath Port Talbot Council has been named as the Local Authority 'Building of the Year' in Wales, 2009.
Chosen by top architectural experts from the Consortium of Local Authorities in Wales (CLAW), the eco-friendly centre, with a bio-mass energy supply, rainwater harvesting and solar power was constructed in a unique style, using sustainable materials.
The £5.6million project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Local Regeneration Fund, is a multi purpose complex with conference facilities, study rooms, a library and computer room, a restaurant and community facilities. On-site residential facilities can accommodate up to 120 people, providing them with opportunities to study the historic surroundings of the park
WRW Chairman, Robert Williams said
“This was a particularly inspiring project as the structure had to be completed off site due to environmental and time constraints. The centre was also built within an environmentaly sensitive Country park and over an SSSI. To have won this award is particularly pleasing and the judges also praised the Client for the Centre’s role and contribution to sustainable construction”
Councillor Ali Thomas, who accepted the award as Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said,
'I am delighted with this prestigious award.”
"The Margam Discovery Centre has opened up a whole new world for Neath Port Talbot. It has become a centre for heritage and conservation training, job creation and environmental understanding. It has also been an example of reducing the carbon footprint and attracting more visitors to the historic Margam Park."