The eco factory brought on eBay

Rye and Battle Observer
Article highlighted by Anthony Reeve of Lassco

Solar UK are currently building a new Eco Factory which will become the base for the research, development and manufacturing side of Solar UK. A state of the art seventeen sided structure has been bought on eBay and transported to the site on the outskirts of Battle for this project. The original building was a public service vehicle training facility at Coventry City College. Built in 2002, it was due for demolition last year to make way for housing in the city.

Solar UK Director Geoff Fox saw the advert for the entire structure on eBay and agreed to buy it. It was dismantled over a period of several weeks last spring and transported on 36 trucks to the new site at North Trade Road Battle. "Every single part of the building was saved right down to the door handles," said Mr Fox.

Ground works were designed so that no material left the site during construction. Underfloor insulation has been recycled from a giant refrigerated unit that was demolished at Gatwick Airport and was destined for landfill and straw bales will be used for wall insulation.

All rainwater will be collected in a large moat or swale at the front of the building and this will be recycled for use throughout the building.

Electricity will come from a wind turbine and photovoltaic panels while hot water will be supplied by Solar UK Laser trackers. The exterior will be clad in dark green polished granite while the roof will feature a glazed pyramid.

The project is due for completion in late summer.





Rye and Battle Observer

Restoring a Regency Fireplace

Matt Davies of Premier Fires and Floors Restoration
Video by Colleen Gowlett

Matt Davies of Premier Fires and Floors Restoration removes a Regency fireplace from a period house in Islington. He and his team fully restore the fireplace which was in pieces when it was removed, fit a new hearth, craft matching bull's eyes which have been lost over the years and make the insert larger as it was falling out of the wall. The fireplace is then fitted back into the house fully restored.

French bricks at Salvo Fair

Thornton Kay interviews David Ackers of BCA France at Salvo Fair 2008

David Ackers takes Thornton Kay for a trip around his stand at Salvo Fair 2008 and discusses the French trade, reclaiming bricks, flagstones and curbs, on one of his very few trips to England.

The Insitu Team

Colleen Gowlett interviews the Insitu team at Salvo Fair 2008

Colleen Gowlett talks to the Insitu team about the Salvo Fair, build your own pews and what exciting things can be found on their stand.

Peter Watson on redesign and door furnishings

Colleen Gowlett interviews Peter Watson at Salvo Fair 2008

Peter Watson of Cox's Architectural Salvage Yard discusses his wears at the Salvo Fair and current redesign projects.

Derek Davies and the metamorphic shelves

Thornton Kay interviews Derek Davies at Salvo Fair 2008

Derek Davies talks to Thornton Kay of Salvo Llp about his rare metamorphic shelving system on the stand of Architectural Forum at this years Salvo Fair.

Drummond Shaw interviewed in 2008

Hindhead, Surrey UK - DRUMMOND Shaw of Drummonds Architectural is interviewed by Thornton Kay of Salvo in the back yard of his Hindhead, Surrey UK premises in May 2008.

The business is having a big trade clear-out and the video shows some of the deeply discounted items available including 300 Victorian ropetwist edgers for £500. These will be among many items Drummonds is bringing to Salvo Fair in June where they will be having a very large stand.

The interview includes Drummond's thoughts about where the salvage trade is now, how the new business is going, including the flooring made from reclaimed oak and stone, and a move away from less profitable architectural antique fittings such as doors and Belfast sinks.

Finally we get to hear a surprise new announcement about the future of Hindhead.

Drummonds Architectural

Billingshurst video preview

Billingshurst, Sussex UK - COLLEEN Gowlett previews the first Billingshurst sale to be held under the mantle of Summers Place Auctions in association with Sotheby's with a stroll around the sculpture garden with James Rylands and Rupert van der Werff. Among the many lots discussed were 18th century leadwork by John Cheere and John van Nost, Compton and Liberty pots, antique stone seats, Manufattura di Signa, modern sculpture and where to put it, and an explanation of the new concept of the combined live and sealed bid auctions. Live auction is on Tuesday 20th May 2008 - see link below for the catalogue









Summers Place Auctions