Europe’s first purpose built ‘3D textbook’ building is the brainchild of Fermanagh woman, Sarah Miller.
Chief Executive Officer of the Rediscovery Centre in Dublin, Ms. Miller recently spearheaded a major green revamp of the Ballymun Boiler House into a 3D textbook that has been described as “a beacon for sustainable development” by the Irish Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and which aims to revitalise STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education in Ireland.
Growing up in Tullycreevy, Monea, Ms. Miller first learned about sustainability from her grandmother who lived in the family home. 
“She was very mindful of not wasting anything, as were most of her generation,” said Ms. Miller. “As a result, when I was younger I would have made my own clothes and was aware of being resource efficient,” she added.
Following her education at St. Patrick’s Primary School, Derrygonnelly, St. Fanchea’s secondary school and Mount Lourdes Grammar, Ms. Miller gained a degree in Biotechnology from Teesside University, followed by a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Ulster in Coleraine. She spent her professional career working as a business development manager in the environmental sector in Ireland, the UK and Australia. She completed an MBA from Dublin City University in 2012 and has been working in Ballymun since 2005, initially employed as the Environmental Manager for Ballymun Regeneration Ltd, one of Europe’s largest regeneration programmes, and more recently as the CEO of the Rediscovery Centre, an environmental centre and social enterprise. 
The repurposed Ballymun Boiler House is now the new HQ of the Rediscovery Centre, which was established in 2006 and provides community training programmes for local long term unemployed people and runs four social enterprises: Rediscover Fashion, Rediscover Furniture, Rediscover Paint and Rediscover Cycling.
Ms. Miller was instrumental in securing €3.6 million funding from the EU’s LIFE+ Programme and a number of government departments.
Construction work began last year and the Boiler House was officially opened by Minister Denis Naughten last month. During his address, the Minister said: “This project is a perfect example of how a building, once consigned to the wrecking ball, can be turned into a beacon for sustainable development. Not only has a new use been found for an old building, but a use that encompasses the very ideals of what the project stands for: Rethink, Reuse and Remake.”
In order to become a national centre of excellence in education for sustainable development, the Boiler House was designed to ensure a minimum carbon footprint in construction and throughout its operational lifetime. The building’s features include: passive design; heating and electricity from alternative, renewable and sustainable sources (e.g. solar panels, air source heat pump, combined heat and power, a willow fuelled stove); composting toilets; rain water harvesting; a green roof; and the use of recycled materials such as reused brick, sheep’s wool insulation and timber from demolition sites; recycled paint from the Rediscovery Centre’s Rediscover Paint project; and furniture and fittings from landfill sites which were then upcycled.
“The Rediscovery Centre is very proud of this project which demonstrates innovative reuse and is an exemplary model of sustainability practice for Europe,” said Ms. Miller. “We are delighted that the launch coincides with the anniversary of the EU’s LIFE+ Programme which has been supporting nature, environment and climate action for over 25 years.” 
Earlier this year the Boiler House project was awarded The Green Construction Award of 2017 at the National Green Awards. Sponsored by Ecocem, the Green construction award recognises sustainable development through innovative construction methods, sustainable use of resources and a design that prioritises the needs of the wider environment and society.
“The completion of this project has resulted in the preservation of an iconic and historical building, the provision of necessary waste infrastructure for the region and the creation of local employment,” added Ms. Miller.
“It’s unbelievable that this has happened,” she reflected. “Science is all around us. The 3D textbook allows us to use the built environment (the building), the natural environment (the gardens and environs) and the cultural environment to teach about sustainability. It allows people to see the benefits of low carbon living,” added Ms. Miller.
The centre welcomed 9,700 school children last year and is targeting 12,000 this year. 
The Rediscovery Centre and Boiler House is open to the general public and is also home to an eco-store where a range of upcycled products are on sale, and an eco-café called ‘The Green Kitchen’.