Sustainable Construction in action and news about Training for Builders

The Green Register is working with a number of our local builder members to increase and support BEST PRACTICE building in the area. We have been developing some new training ideas with them and this event will give other builders a chance to hear more about these ideas as well as look at an interesting new build in Bedminster with a number of sustainable construction features.

The best practice ideas focus on how works relating to heat loss, ventilation and energy management can be carried out more effectively. This matters because if the energy use expected by architects and designers is different to how much energy is used in the running of the building, then the job will take longer, the client will be unhappy etc!

The difference between the energy use predicted in the design stage of buildings and the energy use of those buildings in operation is called the performance gap. Our member builders have told that the key to reducing the performance gap is -

Enabling more builders to understand why they are being asked by architects and designers to do things in a certain way

The training we are planning will develop understanding of essential building physics that will in turn improve both the quality and the delivery of a range of building works. It will be run with builders for builders.

We are delighted that contractors Earthwise Construction and Taus Larsen Architecture have made their latest project available as a site visit and a setting to present more information on the training. During the event you will get the opportunity to look around the site and hear some of our member builders discussing the build’s features with building physics and the training ideas in mind.

So, if you want to know why only “roughly” cutting insulation boards can encourage mould, how the positioning of air tightness tapes can matter so much, about the heat loss hazards of installing windows too quickly or are keen to build well and meet up with a growing number of like-minded local builders, attending this event will be three hours well spent.

ABOUT THE BUILD

Address: 99 Philip St, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4DR
Contractor: Earthwise Construction
Architect: Taus Larsen Architecture
Client: Somewhere Co-operative Housing Assosiation Ltd

Three new build timber frame flats will be built as part of this co-housing scheme, with flats sharing an entrance, garden, bike store, utility room, and spare bedroom, and will feature:

• Close to the Passive House Standard construction
• MVHR
• An integrated P.V. roof
• Air source heat pump
• Wood fiber insulation
• High levels of airtightness
• Innovative ways to meet a tight budget

The timber frame will have been completed and delegates will have the opportunity to see how the frame is being made weather tight plus best practice installation of insulation and airtightness detailing.

The talk and tour will be led by Architect Taus Larsen and Ben East, Director of Earthwise Construction. 

Timings, travel and PPE

• Meet at 4.15pm with talk and tour running 4.30pm - 6.30pm
• Please note: this is still a building site so delegates are advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
• Parking directly outside the site is possible on Philip Street and there are plenty of pay and display bays. Parking becomes free at 5pm.

Please note this site visit is aimed primarily at builders - to encourage builders, a 50% discount is available for this profession.  Should other professions (Architects etc) wish to attend, then please select full price.

This event is held in partnership with: