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Industry News
The Japanese Teahouse
The Timber Frame Company were engaged as the timber frame
specialists for the Japanese Teahouse, an exciting project constructed
entirely of timber.
The Timber Frame Company provided the primary Douglas Fir Frame,
structural timber and rendered rain screen panels and bespoke joinery and
glazing to provide the shell of this hybrid building.
The tight delivery schedule was resolved by accurate and well-managed
off-site manufacture of both the primary frames and secondary structural
elements. A thorough design process and careful co-ordination with the
other design-build team members ensured a smooth and accurate on-site
construction period. With good teamwork and clear communication, the
Timber Frame Company delivered the building on time and on budget.
The Timber Frame Company regularly work as a design build partner
directly with architects and main contractors, as was the case with The
Japanese Teahouse, alternatively they work directly with the client on projects
of any size.
The best results both in terms of cost and aesthetics are achieved from a
collaborative design process, utilising the Timber Frame Company’s
experience and knowledge of working with timber frames in order to reach
an agreed design, specification and budget cost. This approach has aided
the enjoyable creation of a naturally beautiful building that will last for
generations.
The Timber Frame Company have a particular interest in assisting eco
self-builders and can take these type of projects to shell if required.
Please refer to the website for further information.
www.thetimberframe.co.uk
Enquiry N o 113
Pilot Scheme Takes Off
An ambitious cross-boundary
project, to tackle unoccupied
houses in a poor state if repair
across the districts of Mansfield
and Bolsover is being piloted
by an East Midlands
regeneration agency.
The eyes of the UK social
housing sector are on Meden
Valley Making Places (MVMP),
which is running a project funded by £700,000 in grant aid from the
Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and £106,000 from the
Department of Local Government and Communities (DLGC).
South Yorkshire Housing Association has also invested heavily into the
pilot project and will become the landlord of the improved properties.
The scheme will breathe new life into ‘eyesore’ properties that threaten
to blight otherwise desirable housing areas in Mansfield and Bolsover.
Homes that have been empty and neglected for months – or even years
– can drag entire neighbourhoods into a downward spiral, according to
MVMP, a regeneration specialist formed in 2003 to address the problem
of poor housing stock in the former mining communities of
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
MVMP chief executive Gary Kirk said: “The government has set a target
of building 240,000 new homes each year, but the economic downturn
makes it extremely unlikely that this will be achieved.
“We hope that our initiative will stem the number of skilled people
leaving the construction industry as a result of the decline in new build
activity. Their skills will be urgently needed by developers in order to
meet demand for new homes as the economy recovers.”
The grant funding will be used to refurbish 10 houses selected from the
two districts, in a project that will provide much-needed employment for
local construction workers in a deprived area, while helping to preserve
construction skills.
At the same time it aims to create a number of apprenticeships for
young people in the area.
The selected houses will be refurbished to a high level of energy
efficiency that meets the latest regulations on thermal and carbon
emissions, helping keep heating and lighting bills to a minimum.
South Yorkshire Housing Association is also involved in the pilot project.
Chief executive, Tony Stacey said: “As a country we are building far fewer
new homes than we used to, and this is unlikely to change in the
foreseeable future. It is therefore more important than ever that we make
the best use of the homes we have. That’s why SYHA has also got
involved in this work.
“We will bring our award winning design and environmental expertise to
demonstrate what can be achieved for older homes. In addition we will
maximise employment and training opportunities for local people.”
If the pilot is successful it is hoped that it can be rolled out across
adjoining local authorities.
Empty houses present a double quandary for local authorities at a time
when the demand for homes is great.
Not only do they deprive families and individuals of a place to live, they
also contribute to more widespread dereliction as neighbours move away,
adding to the perceptions that an area is in decline.
David Ireland, chief executive of the Empty Homes Agency said: “MVMP
has been very successful in revitalising the pit villages in the area, and has
gained a lot of expertise in the process. It’s a great that that expertise will
now be applied to help get empty homes back into use across the area.
“It’s a positive idea that we welcome. No one wants to live next to
property that’s empty and in poor repair, but landlords who own these
properties have had to cope with added financial pressure during the
downturn – many are unable to do the necessary work without help.
This initiative will provide that help.”
Mr Ireland added: “Improving empty homes may not be as glamorous
as building new houses, but it provides homes just as well, for less money
and at less environmental cost.”
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