The Genesis project is a pioneering regional sustainable construction centre for education and learning based at the Somerset College of Arts and Technology in Taunton. One of the government's centres of vocational excellence, the College is committed to sustainable construction and the £2.5 million Genesis Centre currently under construction. 
 
The College, which as the Somerset Centre for the University of Plymouth, provides leading edge skills, information and communications resources. The new resource centre will deliver training in both a formal and informal way, acting as a one stop shop on sustainable construction techniques and will provide education at all levels from primary school to university degree.  
 
The Genesis project will:

• explore, explain and evaluate latest thinking in sustainable construction by introducing the use of sustainable practices and materials into mainstream construction industry;
• consist of a series of pavilions constructed of earth, straw, clay and timber, with living roofs, and a water pavilion demonstrating the latest water-saving devices;
• promote energy saving and use both solar and biomass forms of energy;
• serve as a facility enabling people from throughout the South West to access information on sustainable construction and have the opportunity to see high quality buildings which have been constructed using sustainable methods;
• demonstrate the benefits of sustainable urban drainage systems, designed to regulate the flow of water into our rivers;
• serve as a hub for wider sustainability activities involving the community working with our partners, the Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development;
• provide a wide range of resources and learning opportunities for schoolchildren, college students, the public, architects and builders.

Building work on the Genesis Centre is underway and a viewing platform has been erected to enable visitors to monitor progress. You are welcome to visit the platform at any time during College opening hours. If you require further information, please ring the Genesis Administrator on 01823 366 416 or email: genesis@somerset.ac.uk.  
 
If you are in the construction trade, or associated sectors, and would like a guided tour of the building site, this can be arranged with our Sustainable Construction Manager, Tim Simmons, by phoning 01823 366 528. Fees are dependant upon requirements and numbers attending.  
 
For more information, please visit the Genesis Project website.