Work has begun on a national showcase for sustainable building products and construction methods.

The 6,800 sq ft building is being built on Wolseley UK's 18-acre site at Spa Park in Leamington Spa, which is already home to the company's headquarters building and National Distribution Center.

The £3m Sustainable Building Center (SBC) is the first of its kind and will be a living, breathing and interactive centre for all involved in construction, from architects and developers through to jobbing builders.

It will allow them to experience the latest technologies and the widest range of real-world sustainable, energy-efficient and recycled building products. For the first time it will bring together all the products that are available now, or imminently, across all of Wolseley UK's brands nationwide.

The SBC will display a wide range of different types of product, with many in their working environment to provide visitors with hard data on the quantifiable benefits of the latest materials and construction methods. For example, renewable energy generators, such as solar panels and ground source heat pumps, will be installed with a display to show the amount of power they are generating. 'Renewables' technology will be just one feature on display. Sustainable products will be incorporated in the building's drainage, sub-structure, walls, roofs, finishes, floors, windows, heating and ventilation, lighting, bathrooms and landscaping.

Wolseley UK's specially trained staff will be on hand to provide visitors with up-to-the-date information, data and guidance on the most appropriate materials for specific projects, from single homes through to large-scale commercial developments.

The two-storey building will also have a first-class training and presentation theatre and café facilities. These will be used for events, launches and demonstrations, to engage with a range of visitors from all sectors of the construction industry.

The SBC building itself will generate and store energy through different types of renewable technology, including photovoltaic and biomass. Its sedum ‘blanket’ roof will protect the roof membrane and reduce internal temperatures in the summer.

The SBC will include the following types of products: photovoltaics; sedum roof; e-glazing; natural lighting; natural insulation; green floor coverings; biomass; ground source heat pump; engineered timber; low energy lighting; water saving devices; solar thermal and sustainable drainage.

The SBC is being built by Warwick-based SOL construction, which was recently acquired by Rok plc. The building is expected to open in mid-2008.

Visit the Sustainable Building Center website