WITTON LAKES ECO HUB SHORTLISTED FOR RIBA AWARD

Witton Lodge Community Association is absolutely thrilled that our wonderful Eco Hub, located in the heart of Witton Lakes in Erdington has been shortlisted for the prestigious RIBA West Midlands Awards 2024.

Witton Lakes Eco Hub was created through the vision and perseverance of WLCA and the local community who set their sights on the old parkkeeper’s cottage in Witton Lakes Park as an opportunity for redevelopment and the creation of a much-needed environmentally focused community facility.

Acquiring the cottage through a Community Asset Transfer from Birmingham City Council, WLCA embarked on a journey to transform the space and despite challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the team were steadfast with their vision. After a decade of planning, public consultation and partnership building, planning permission approved in June 2020 with Witton Lakes Eco Hub opening in April 2022.

The sustainability of the building was paramount throughout the design of the Eco Hub which was designed by Architects Axis Design Architects, led by Project Director, Rob Annable. This included materials chosen to reduce embodied carbon emissions during construction, such as:

Woodfibre insulation to the cottage walls and floor
Timber frame + post/beam structure and external cladding
Clay blockwork using thin-bed joint system to reduce concrete usage

To ensure energy needs were met sustainably and effectively we also used:

Triple glazed high performance windows and large wall cavities fully filled with insulation to reduce heating demand
A planted sedum roof to reduce overheating, rainwater runoff and improve ecological diversity
Air Source Heat Pumps providing heating and hot water combined with underfloor heating for maximum efficiency
Photovoltaic panels providing energy generation to reduce electricity usage

The beautifully designed hub boasts a large hall, meeting rooms, a community café, outdoor classroom, and cycle hub, all designed to serve the diverse needs of the community. Witton Lakes Eco Hub offers a wide range of free health and wellbeing activities for the residents of Erdington to enjoy. The surrounding grounds and gardens were incorporated into the design from concept stage to final delivery, enhancing the local environment and nurturing native species. In the grounds of the Eco Hub, the Velvet Community Orchard serves as a testament to community collaboration, where local volunteers grow produce, plants and flowers for the benefit of all.

The Eco Hub has also established dedicated spaces to support local wildlife and the biodiversity of the surrounding green space and Witton Lakes. Our new dedicated areas for frogs, newts, butterflies, and bees nurture their growth and survival, whilst giving local people and children the chance to better understand the lifecycles of these native species. Actively working with local conservation group Friends of Witton Lakes (FOWL), who protect and support the surrounding natural area, the Eco Hub continues to develop an exciting programme of environmental activities and engagement – further supported by the Green Grant allocated by the WMCA.

Working closely with local conservation group Friends of Witton Lakes, who protect and support the surrounding natural area, the Eco Hub continues to develop an exciting programme of environmental activities and engagement – further supported by the Green Grant allocated by the WMCA.

Through innovation, perseverance, and community spirit, Witton Lakes Eco Hub stands as a symbol of progress and possibility, enriching the lives of residents and fostering a sustainable future for generations to come. We were thrilled to have hosted more than 8,500 visitors at the Eco Hub throughout 2023, and we aim to continue expanding this number annually. This growth demonstrates the essential role the Eco Hub plays as a community facility.

We are honoured to be nominated alongside such an amazing and diverse list of nominees that celebrate excellence in architecture in our region. We look forward to welcoming the RIBA panel to Witton Lakes Eco Hub on Wednesday 27th March 2024 and the winner being announced at the RIBA West Midlands Awards Ceremony on Thursday 9th May 2024.

Take a look at the photos below to see the dramatic transformation of Witton Lakes Eco Hub from a dilapidated park keepers cottage.