The Dean Garden Room & Pond Cabin

Well the new classroom and lab buildings are now finished and we're looking forward to their formal opening on 11th May when the Lord Mayor of Bristol will be opening them with many invited guests. We didn't want to simply call them the classroom and lab as we expect a variety of user groups to enjoy using them ranging from parent and toddler groups to corporate training groups and even wedding parties.

With that in mind we would like to introduce you to "The Dean Garden Room" above. It is a beautiful timber construction with many eco features including low energy use and a wildflower meadow roof. Natural lighting is provided by large bifolding doors and roof lights and heating is from a fully automated wood pellet boiler system providing renewable energy heating from sustainable sources.

The roof terrace above allows students to view the living roof and the habitats it provides. It will be part of a series of orientation activities that allow students to learn about the sustainable features of the buildings and their place within the environment. The panoramic views of the village and Centre gardens are even better than we expected and no doubt it won't be long before a small group choose to have their picnic lunch up there! We'll certainly look to Blog the first bride and groom wedding photo!

Inside the building we have created a comfortable meeting area at one end. Later this will be separated from the main part of the building by a retractable partition once the timbers have settled and this can be installed.

The building of course has a disabled toilet but we've also included a shower and baby change table to cater for the possible varied use of the building.

We've decided the kitchen is better than most of our kitchens at home! You can certainly make a couple of tea easily enough but we think it is spacious enough to provide catering for an evening group and also use as a bar serving area.

The picnic tables on the deck under the canopy have just been used for the first time by our resident group who enjoyed their lunch there.

"Pond Cabin" is our wonderful new laboratory poised on stilts over the pond. It has already been well received by several groups of students doing their stream studies. The wet room floor makes it easy to wash any sploshed out welly-water down the central drain hole!

Inside it is surprisingly spacious and when be using by some users will make an excellent 'break out room' for group work for up to 20 people. We will be able to put our microscopes and charts etc. away in the built in cupboards and provide a meeting room with a difference.

We particularly like the design and shape of the ceiling.

The views out of the window aren't bad either and the pond has now got a resident pair of ducks who have taken up residence.