AN environmentally friendly building that opened this month has won an award.

The Greenhouse, at Annfield Plain, near Stanley, was the winner of the Sustainability Constructing Excellence Award.

The £4.2m two-storey business centre has solar panels and is L-shaped to make the most of the sunlight.

It also has conferencing and catering facilities serving only organic foods.

All materials used have been recycled or have come from sustainable sources.

A wind turbine means renewable energy is the only source of power.

Judges were impressed at the consideration given to the energy consumption in the building.

Efficient boilers, a ground source heat pump and underfloor heating maintain a steady temperature inside the 32,000sq ft building.

The site is dominated by a wildlife lake designed to encourage local wildlife and migration of flora on to the site.

It was developed by the environmental regeneration charity Groundwork West Durham.

The organisation's executive director, Kate Culverhouse, said: "We are delighted that The Greenhouse has recently won the award.

"The business centre practically demonstrates that a building can be far more than just bricks and mortar.

"Indeed, it shows how the built and natural environment can be linked in developments to encourage users to take positive action to improve the sustainability of the building and the local area."

Groundwork West Durham is also providing an extensive events programme that promotes biodiversity, sustainable development through organised site visits to the Greenhouse for schools and community groups.

The scheme was designed by Niven Architects.