Turbine building location, setting, overall finish, detailing…we have an invaluable set of volunteer experts helping ‘make a better hydro’ As Ed the coordinator of the panel keeps saying “it should add something to its location” and not simply look likes its been dropped from space.
Bar the bells and whistles we have now completed our Snowdon hydro. Time to kick in with the 20/20 hindsight. What have we learnt, what will we take on to the next project and what can we do better? The perfect hydro has never been built!
The National Trust have a group of highly skilled and internationally recognised volunteers who as a group are known as The National Trust Architectural Panel. they focus on aesthetics, design and setting. We had invited a small group down to look at nine potential hydro sites but also to review the Hafod y Llan hydro as a finished product. And what did we discuss and see at Hafod y Llan?
Weir. Single pieces would have been better instead of multiple pieces of slate on some of the exposed parts, Less engineering and more riven finish. The stainless screen will discolour over time (ironic…stainless!)
Turbine building. Would have been good if both sets of doors were at the same level. (Sub station and power house doors)
Different external lights, set back the substation side by a foot or two and that would define the turbine building better…all small bits but they do add up
The viewing window might have been better further back by the penstock?
Don’t get me wrong the finished product is in my humble opinion is ‘superb’. There is always room for improvement! We as a nation spend a lot of time and research on the bits which we are not happy with instead of celebrating our successes…but what they hey. We are what we are!
Doors, lights and some setting back of the substation building. Details details…
