Generally, really useful to see some new products and services on show, with some interesting discussion topics in between.
Innovation stage
Session Title: Generation Zero – Natural timber solutions for retrofit and newbuild.
Presenter: Matt Stevenson of Eco System Technologies
Interesting points: In partnership with GenZero, they are working with the DFE to deliver healthier atmospheres within schools, through sustainable modular design.
They offer the use of natural materials in a controlled environment, which can reduce waste, maximise recycling and potential re-use potential.
The use of timber in buildings provide good quality environments that are better for health and promote well-being.
Digital Impact stage
Session title: The new Breeam Platform; data driven whole life performance.
Presenter: Dr Shamir Ghumra, Head of building performance services
Interesting points: Bre are diversifying to add useful interactive data systems to aid Breeam assessors, manufacturers, and clients during the assessment process.
One example being greater engagement and assurances for manufactures during the product development stages, this avoids unnecessary abortive work.
Keynote Stage 2
Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) Natural Materials WG: Natural materials in practice
Passivhaus Talk 1 by Paper igloo Director, Mhairi Grant, Director.
This was a Self-build home she built with her partner, which is called Ostro Passivhaus, near Stirling.
There was a constant use of timber throughout the building, it was described as a ‘box within a box’ as the ‘inner box’ contains all the services and circulation and serves the surrounding spaces.
The home achieved passivhaus certification and technical standard section 7; sustainability gold level.
Pasivhaus Talk 2 by Architype director, Ben Humphries.
Hackbridge Primary School, Sutton, London.
Situated next to an area of metropolitan open land and the BedZED eco-village, this offered an obvious opportunity for the architect to use natural, low-embodied carbon materials.
They adopted a timber-based palette, birch-faced plywood linings, a ‘Larsen truss’ timber frame with wood fibre insulation and sweet chestnut cladding (due to its long lifespan, reducing replacement costs).
He identified the use of pvc in schools (and generally) as being an awful crime, due to the emissions of VOCs. It’s too easily chosen for trunking to conceal services (instead they chose to use plywood, which I thought was neat).
He finished with a statement ‘If you don’t need a material, don’t use it’.
Architype are also carrying out post occupancy studies to monitor improved health and wellbeing at the school to gather feedback. They are already working other schools where they are improving performance and are always looking at other bio-based materials.
