The Feasibility Study

In 2016 we set out to understand the best way of meeting the future needs of our Centre and the work we do. It was clear that the existing visitor centre and admin building would not meet our needs going forward,  but deciding on how to shape the future required some more careful thought

The traditional feasibility study structure of the RIBA did not ask all the questions we have in trying to understand the full implications and options....so we created our own methodology. This looked at the structural integrity of the building; energy management and potential improvements as well the carbon impact of a variety of options.

We are happy to share the way that we undertook the process of finding the right people to work with, built a brief, and managed the process. The report includes the strategic management framework for The Earthworks Trust and this project; early steps in creating a concept design; details about the methodology developed from the standard Royal British Institute of Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work in order to create a framework that encourages a comprehensive eco-retrofit of an existing building, which supports sound decision-making by a charity. It shares results of that study and the key next steps. It documents the process developed and undertaken and shares the tools and methodology.

​We hope that it encourages and enables others to adopt a similar approach to the re-use and re-purposing of existing commercial/institutional style and scale buildings.

To request a copy of the report please contact us at info@sustainability-centre.org

We are grateful to the South Downs National Park who supported us with a grant from the Sustainable Communities Fund to match funds raised from our donors and supporters that enabled the feasibility study to go ahead.