Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has officially opened the £1.8m Pavilion Centre - Cornwall’s new, state-of-the-art venue for business, entertainment and private functions.
Opened during her visit to the 2008 Royal Cornwall Show, the Pavilion Centre was designed and built by Pinelog – its profile echoing the form of the tented structures which appear all over the showground each year. It is set on ground that slopes west to east, with the design featuring one storey in the west and three in the east, the lowest being largely underground.
The building has a frame of laminated timber, clad externally in Siberian larch with large windows on two faces to provide far-reaching views and encourage natural light. An overhanging aluminium roof gives it a distinctive look, this material being chosen because it is easy to recycle, requiring only five per cent of original manufacturing energy.
The building was designed with environmental considerations in mind. A fireproof fibre made from naturally occurring volcanic material insulates the roof, the overhanging edges of which provide sun screening in summer.
Environment management systems check CO2 levels and draw in fresh or heated air as required and octagonal roof lights with electronic louvers contribute to natural ventilation. A low-energy lighting system incorporates sensors which automatically switch off the lights when a room is not used.
Although designed and built by Bakewell-based Pinelog, locally based sub-contractors and Cornish materials were used wherever possible including polished De Lank granite bar counters and Delabole slate flooring. The décor and furniture were chosen carefully to match the individual character of the building and its spectacular setting.
To ensure that all functions run smoothly the striking building is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including Wifi and the latest audio and computer projection systems.
“We have here a facility the whole county can be proud of and which will serve their needs extremely well" said Christopher Riddle, secretary of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. "We have a superb venue for events such as conferences, exhibitions, business meetings and training courses. It is also very suitable for all kinds of social events – from wedding receptions to private parties. This is a very flexible building.”
“As it is only one storey at the front, it is very deceptive. It looks much bigger on the inside than it appears from outside. We have received an extremely enthusiastic response and many favourable comments from visitors.”
Keywords: Pavilion Centre Pinelog
