Presentation from Nick Murza, Director of Operations at Arvon. First presented at Green Arts event for the literature sector at Free Word, 25th June 2014.

1. Sustainable buildings

2. Arvon’s
buildings
• Residen1al
crea1ve
wri1ng
retreats
• 3
centres
in
Devon,
Shropshire
and
Yorkshire
• Buildings
date
from
16th
to
19th
century
• Remote,
rural
loca1ons

3. Challenges
• Old
buildings
with
poor
thermal
performance
• Significant
land
holdings
• Residen1al
use
–
week-­‐long
visitors
• Listed
buildings
–
limita1ons
on
changes
• Away
from
popula1on
centres
• Limited
funds
for
capital
improvements

4. Approach
• Sustainability
policy
• Sustainability
surveys
• Ac1on
plans
• Monitoring
• Business
plan
• Ownership
by
trustees
and
staff
• Communica1on

5. Sustainability
policy
Our
objec1ves
are:
• to
minimise
our
impact
on
the
natural
environment
by
reducing
our
direct
and
indirect
use
of
natural
resources,
our
carbon
footprint,
and
waste
• to
have
a
posi1ve
impact
on
the
development
of
sustainable
local
economies,
communi1es
and
networks
around
our
wri1ng
centres
• to
be
more
self-­‐sufficient
in
energy,
food
and
water
• to
reduce
costs

6. Sustainability
policy
We
will:
• take
decisions
considering
the
effect
on
our
aims
over
the
short
(up
to
2
years),
medium
(2-­‐5
years)
and
long
terms
(up
to
25
years)
• make
strategic
and
business
decisions,
taking
into
account
the
environmental,
financial,
economic
and
social
impacts
on
Arvon
and
its
local,
regional,
na1onal
and
interna1onal
environments
• develop
a
regularly-­‐reviewed
strategy
for
achieving
our
aims,
supported
by
clear
plans
for
implementa1on,
including
measurable
targets
and
1metables
• ensure
commitment
and
consulta1on
on
our
aims
at
all
levels
of
the
organisa1on,
including
trustees,
staff
and
contractors
• ensure
that
our
policies,
plans
and
outcomes
are
communicated
effec1vely
and
regularly,
to
contractors,
partners,
funders,
and
the
general
public.

7. Surveys
• Energy
use
• Energy
sourcing
• Local
materials
• Water
resources
• Land
management
• Wildlife
• Local
food
• Waste
management
• Transport

8. Ac1on
plans
• Energy
Use
• Land
Use
• Food

9. Achievements
• Renova1on
of
The
Hurst
– Ground
Source
Heat
Pump
system
– Insula1on
– Secondary
glazing
• Refurbishment
of
Totleigh
Barton
barn
• Kitchen
gardens

10. Totleigh
Barton
Barn