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ebf marks a successful return to live events

THE 12th education building forum (ebf) took place at a Cotswold hotel and conference/exhibition venue last month, and the pleasure of being able to meet and mix freely was evident on the face of the many education[1]sector attendees.

As well as the multiple pre-arranged business meetings, there was a full programme of presentations by senior industry speakers, addressing this year’s seminar theme: “Back to school – new design development plans post-Covid”. In all, eight presentations were made across the two days of ebf, and these will be available shortly on the Stable Events website. Here are just a very few of the highlights from our speaker line-up.

 

  • Stephen Gallacher of QODA and Catherine Fleming of the University of Loughborough discussed how the University procured the design of its new SportPark Pavilion 4, a Passivhaus building that is an extension to the existing Pavilion 3 BREEAM Excellent. Catherine explained how they wanted to go beyond BREEAM, which no longer seemed the best way to achieve the lowest carbon and energy levels, and instead commit to Passivhaus accreditation. Interestingly, contractors were not disqualified from tendering if they had no experience of Passivhaus. Instead, they were invited to explain how they would address and manage their lack of specialist knowledge. The aim was to encourage openness and collaboration during the tender period.

 

  • Patrick Watson, partner at the low[1]carbon engineering consultants 3PM explained the thinking that underpins low carbon schemes 3PM has worked on including the Enterprise Centre for UEA and the new Sustainability Centre for Cambridge University, the world’s first low carbon retrofit scheme. He stressed the importance of collaboration throughout, but particularly in the early stages of design conception. Other tips included: Test the space budget, build less, maximise utilisation; try retro first, rather than new build; maximise the extent of bio-based materials (insulation, finishes, timber); challenge traditional methods – think lightweight construction; and monitor carbon from day one and use it to drive material selection. “Set a challenge, hold the vision and the team will deliver,” he said.

 

  • Jerry Tate, Director, Tate+Co Architects, talked about how to put health and wellbeing first when designing school and university buildings. “Getting to zero carbon is an opportunity to re[1]think our relationship with the built environment and create places that improve the health and wellbeing of all,” he explained.

 

  • Natalie Sarabia-Johnston, Director and Founder of Southgate & Sarabia Architects, discussed how two derelict grade 2 listed mill building complexes have not only been developed to provided flexible teaching space but have been the catalyst for regeneration on two difficult development sites in Nelson and Burnley.She said: “By re-using existing buildings and re-purposing them, this leads to more than just the re-use of bricks and mortar, it helps kickstart local regeneration.”

 

  • Stephen Wightman, Regional Director – MMC Lead, Faithful + Gould, discussed Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and the different forms it can take. He said “MMC should be thought of as a process, not a product”, and showed how, when well implemented, “it can deliver real benefits to the project, the stakeholders and the community.” But he added: “However, it is as important to know when NOT to use it as when to use it.”

 

  • Jennifer Juritz, Head of Environmental Design, David Morley Architects, explained how to integrate carbon reduction targets in masterplanning.

 

  • Samuel Da Silva Resende, Architect/Associate, Haverstock, talked of helping the wellbeing of young people through design. His work with young people with autism was illustrated with examples from Haverstock’s Forest Bridge School – which he suggested could be drawn on to influence the future of schools and places of learning.

 

  • And Debbie Flevotomou, Founder, CEO & Head Architect, at Debbie Flevotomou Architects talked about her nature[1]centric concept THINK NATURE, which brings people close to nature and improves their whole wellbeing. Her practice’s suggested designs for the Tower 42 project in the City of London, with their shapely, twisting elegance, were dramatic – and inspired attendees to create their own mini-schemes out of three sheets of paper in a lively inter[1]active session.
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The HE estates Forum is back - LIVE!
STABLE Events is hosting the HE estates Forum – Live - on November 18-19 at The Slate Conference and Exhibition Centre, part of the University of Warwick.

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