Bristol Partnership sponsors new Knowle West Media Centre

Release Date:  22-Mar-2007

The Bristol Partnership announced this week it is sponsoring Archimedia, the new  home for Knowle West Media Centre. Designed to be environmentally friendly, the innovative building will be constructed from straw bales - and the Bristol Partnership has signed up to sponsor one of them.

Based in an area that ranks high in indicators of deprivation, particularly in housing, health, employment and educational attainment, Knowle West Media Centre performs a wide social, cultural and educational role. It gives members of the local community, particularly young people, the opportunity to take part in photography, film and design projects, encouraging them to develop skills they can take into their everyday life, to work for positive change.

Involving local people

Young people from Knowle West have been involved in every stage of planning the new building, from recruitment and fundraising, to consultation and design. Due to be completed by the end of this year, the building reflects their aspirations for a space that is environmentally sustainable, secure and accessible to all members of the community.

Including state of the art media studios, managed workspaces and exhibition space for the film, art and music produced at the centre, once completed, the new two-storey building is expected to be the biggest straw bale building in Europe. Designed by White Design, it will be as hard-wearing and strong as a traditional brick building, with greatly improved insulation. Also designed to have lower emissions of carbon than most buildings, other ecological features include a wood chip boiler and a system that collects rainwater, for uses such as flushing toilets.

Resource for the community

Councillor Barbara Janke, Chair of the Bristol Partnership and Leader of Bristol City Council, said: “Knowle West Media Centre has proved itself as an important resource for the community, providing outstanding opportunities for developing skills and confidence through innovative photography and film projects. Young people in particular have benefited from the centre's work.

“On behalf of the Bristol Partnership, I am very pleased to announce our sponsorship of a straw bale to be used in the construction of the brand new building. The centre should be commended for taking the lead in sustainable design, incorporating innovative environmentally friendly features into their plans. The new building  will be a flagship for sustainable construction and community involvement."

Bringing together leaders from more than 20 organisations from across the public, private, voluntary and community sectors, the Bristol Partnership works to make Bristol a better city to live and work in, and to visit. The partnership tackles complex issues that no single organisation can achieve on their own, to drive forward a long term strategic vision for the city. One of their priorities is to narrow the gap between disadvantaged neighbourhoods and the rest of the city, promoting equality and community cohesion.

Demonstrating support

Director of Knowle West Media Centre, Carolyn Hassan, adds: “We see the sponsorship of the straw bale panels as being an excellent way for organisations, businesses and other supporters of Knowle West Media Centre to contribute to this exciting development and demonstrate their support for the community and the people of Knowle West.”

To find out more about Knowle West Media Centre, visit their website at www.kwmc.co.uk

Any business, or other organisation, interested in sponsoring one of the straw bales should contact Knowle West Media Centre by phoning 0117 903 0444 or emailing info@kwmc.co.uk  Pledges have already been received from a number of organisations, including Avon Fire and Rescue.

Author:  

Katharine de Lisle 0117 922 2732

For all media enquiries relating to this press release, please contact Corporate Communications on 0117 922 2650.

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