Materials in Construction Conference - 20 Feb 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
On 20 February the East Midlands centre organised a half day seminar on ‘Sustainable Materials in Construction’ at DICe Building, Nottingham Trent University.
The event focused on raising awareness and appreciation of sustainable materials and their use. Guest speakers included Jonathon Barnett of Logix UK, Clare Howe of Corporation Green and Darren Williams from Lafarge Aggregates. The event was attended by 45 delegates who included industry practitioners, academics, research students and students.
Jonathon Barnett who is the General Manager of Logix UK, are the sole European License holder of Logix Insulated Concrete Forms based in Poole, UK. Logix manufactures the lightweight interlocking hollow blocks. Jonathan’s presentation covered advantages of sustainable construction materials, and how such materials have been effectively used on some leading projects - Creative Energy homes project and the BASF house.
These hollow blocks, which are made from 100% recycled plastics once assembled, are filled with concrete and offer practical advantages not just during the construction but also during the serviced life of the building.
The next speaker Clare Howe who has a background from construction industry is founder of Corporation Green, an environmental consultancy firm. Claire specialises in BREEAM, EcoHomes code assessments, site environmental plans, and waste management plans highlighted the importance of materials selection for sustainable construction. Claire gave practical advice and information to the audience how credits are achieved under the BREEAM, EcoHomes and Code for Sustainable Homes Assessments.
Darren WIlliams from Lafarge Aggregates presented Lafarge’s approach to sustainability, concrete technology. The presentation included Lafarge’s initiatives in innovations in aggregate process and usage to promote sustainability. Darren pointed out how Lafarge make good use of ‘waste products’ and ‘reuse’ of by-products from power generation, steel production as well as recycling millions of glass bottles every year.
The speakers provided a balanced view from; innovation of sustainable materials, their use and requirements for sustainable construction .The CIOB was represented by East Midlands branch Chairman Barry Westwood, vice chair Mukesh Kashyap, Immediate past chairman Peter-Ramsay-Dawber, Manger, Kiren Gill and other members of the branch.
