The Concrete Centre Announces New Better Built Homes Seminar

2 May 2018

The Concrete Centre is pleased to announce a brand-new seminar to its annual calendar with the, Better Built Homes Seminar running for the first time this June. The event is now live so confirm your spot early.
This is another of our free events and will be taking place on Friday 22 June, from 09:15 – 15:00 at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, Swindon. 
The purpose of this event is to highlight practical guidance for high quality, high performance homes that don’t cost the earth.
Concrete and masonry products are UK-manufactured, locally available and one of the most cost-effective solutions for building a new home. They have also adapted well to contemporary performance demands and standards, resulting in homes built today that combine the highest levels of energy efficiency whilst maintaining the strength and durability inherent in concrete and masonry. 
This event provides practical guidance on the range of solutions, both established and emerging, and shares best practice for the design and construction of new, energy efficient, high quality and comfortable homes.
Delegates will hear from experts in design and construction who have come together to share their expertise and experience through a series of talks and case studies and will be available to respond to your project queries. The event is targeted at all those with an interest in the design and construction of homes, from a unique self-build home to small and medium-sized housing developments. 
Whether you are home-owner, client, designer, builder, contractor, planner, surveyor, or follow-on trade – the aim of this event is to provide the information on construction solutions, and material and design options for building new homes that deliver on cost, performance and aesthetics.
There is also the opportunity for delegates to network with product experts, and they will also have access to the National Self-Build and Renovation Centre, the venue for the event.
Presented by The Concrete Centre, Modern Masonry, Basement Information Centre and the National Self-Build and Renovation Centre
Seminar Programme 
09:15 Registration & Refreshments
09:45 Session 1: Modern Masonry
Chaired by: Guy Thompson - Modern Masonry.
Brick and block cavity wall construction is the most popular form of construction for housing in the UK.  Concrete and masonry products are UK-manufactured, locally available and one of the most cost-effective solutions for building a new home. Did you know that concrete and masonry homes also deliver on performance and sustainability as well as cost?  
  • Solid reasons for using concrete and masonry - Guy Thompson, Head of Housing, Sustainability & Architecture.

    The structure of a home plays an important role in the performance of the home. This presentation will provide an overview of the performance credentials of blockwork and concrete that provide the simplest solution to achieve energy efficiency, acoustic performance, flood resilience, fire resistance, security as well as resistance to damp and rot. 
     
  • Better built in blockwork - Tom De Saulles, Sustainability Senior Manager.

    Tom is author of new ‘easy guides’ that aim to help self-builders, builders and designers to get to grips with the product options for floor and wall solutions using brick, block and concrete. The information translates and simplifies best practice detailing for blocks, cavity walls, beam & block floors.  senior manager.
Case study - To be announced shortly
This session has been organised with Modern Masonry, a partnership of experts in concrete blocks, aircrete blocks, bricks and mortar that provide guidance for the use of masonry in housing.
11.00 Morning break
11.30 Session 2: Basements and Going Underground 
Chaired by: Kevin Dodds - The Basement Information Centre.
Considering a partially or fully underground living space may be the best way to get the most from your plot, either by providing useful additional space, facilitating planning approval or to cope with level changes on a site. Basements can provide comfortable day-lit rooms, with natural ventilation and external access that can make the perfect gym, music room, home office or swimming pool.
  • Planning a basement - This presentation will help navigate you through the site investigations, planning requirements and building regulations for basement construction including key factors such as daylight, ventilation and means of escape. 
     
  • Basement Waterproofing, An Overview - Richard Crossley CSSW WDS, Technical Director, Newton Waterproofing on behalf of the Basement Information Centre.

    Whether you are working on a new-build project or converting a basement, installing a robust basement waterproofing system is vitally important for protecting the structure against water ingress. This presentation will provide essential guidance for design detailing and construction. It will also provide an overview of the different types of basement and waterproofing options and when to use them.

Case study - To be announced shortly
This session has been organised with the Basement Information Centre, who encourage and enable the design and construction of quality basements on new developments and the improvement of existing and retro-fit basements

12.45 Lunch break
13.45 Session 3: Concrete Innovations 
Chaired by: Elaine Toogood - MPA The Concrete Centre 
Concrete and masonry have unique properties that are ideal for the fabric of your home, such as thermal mass which can reduce the energy required to heat and cool your home. The material is also fire resistant, flood resilient and is available in a wide range of forms and construction methods. 
  • Innovations in concrete and masonry for housing - Elaine Toogood, Senior Architect, The Concrete Centre.

    Elaine will provide an overview of recent developments in construction methods, products and guidance available supporting the development of new housing using concrete and masonry. The presentation includes offsite housing solutions, insulating concrete formwork, advice on detailing and useful design tools.
     
  • Energy efficient design for comfort and cost-savings - Tom De Saulles, Sustainability Senior Manager, The Concrete Centre.

    Early, and often fundamental design decisions can bring significant benefits to the long-term energy efficiency and comfort of a new home. This presentation provides essential tips for achieving year-round fabric energy efficiency and making the right design decisions from the outset. 
Case study of Offsite housing - To be announced shortly
This session is organised with The Concrete Centre, who provide information on the design, performance, specification and construction of housing and buildings. This includes guidance on standards, sustainability, structural/ thermal performance as well as case studies.
The Better Built Housing event will close at 3pm. There is an opportunity for delegates to look around the NSBRC which closes at 5.30pm.
Book your free place today!