Built Environment

Cass Associates won the Under £1m Project category for the Liverpool Sailing Club building, in a remote setting and 'off-grid' for all services except water.

The building has been designed with energy self-sufficiency as a priority. Headline achievement: Opened in 2008, the club generates its own electricity, treats its own waste and stores and recycles its own rainwater.

The activity:

Opened in October 2008 by HRH Princess Anne, Liverpool Sailing Club is in a stunning but remote location and off-grid for all services except water. Cass Associates designed the new club with energy self-sufficiency as a priority. An on-site 6kW wind turbine gathers energy and any excess is diverted into a 2000 litre hot water tank to supply showers, hand basins and electric space heaters – a biofuel generator works as a back up; the large moat acts as security and collects rainwater for flushing toilets and washing down boats; and windows and vents allow for natural ventilation.

The savings:

Since it reopened in 2008, the club has generated its own electricity, stored and recycled rainwater and treated its own waste on-site – activities that will generate cost savings in the long term.

The achievements:

Following a fire in 2000, Liverpool Sailing Club is now back and operating with high environmental credentials including self-sufficiency for a building that is off-grid.