The Outdoor Education Centre was built to be a focal point for youth provision in Sutton Park, currently classed as a national nature reserve, as part of a partnering agreement between Birmingham City Council and Thomas Vale Contractors, which has formed the basis of many such Birmingham City funded projects. Chetwoods took on the concept brief/design and saw the scheme through to completion on site. The project provided an extension to an existing Youth Centre constructed in the late 1970s. A new new single storey extension building bridges the existing and minimises the impact on its context. The nature of the site and function of the building have resulted in a pallet of materials to reflect this ecological ideal, using lightweight and durable materials such as western redwood cedar and self-coloured renders. Brickwork/render and zinc cladding are used to break up the mass of the extension. The scheme also utilises natural ventilation and daylight via sun pipes, a ground source heating system, solar panels for water heating and grey water collection and reuse. The facilities include education classrooms, changing facilities, drying facilities for outdoor pursuits and staff facilities. The project also included upgrading existing car parking facilities and a new ground floor entrance area to the Youth Centre.