The Cornwall Group made the most of the autumn sunshine to visit 2 construction sites this month.

Barnaby Shepperd invited the group to his retrofit in Falmouth to see the graphite EPS external wall insulation being applied.  There were plenty of awkward details that the installer (Home Green Home)  had to overcome and it was also interesting to hear his views on the types of EWI system and how the current state of government funding for retrofit has affected his business.  His preferred EWI system is supplied by JUB Systems UK Ltd.  Chips and beer were enjoyed in the Waterfront afterwards.

At the end of September ECOFAB Ltd invited Cornwall AECB members to its Dental Precision project in St Agnes Cornwall.  This 300sq.m new-build dental surgery uses Ecofab’s pre-insulated panel and glulam frame system to achieve very low environmental impact and cost at around £1600/sq.m.  The system upcycles straw and sheepswool as insulants, it’s membrane free, has a suspended timber floor structure with small pad foundations and achieves excellent levels of airtightness and thermal performance.  Director Martin Penk cited Walter Segal as the early inspiration for the 10yr old system which still possesses the simplicity and buildability of the post and beam method.  Alan Hughes then took the group through the design and production process which uses a customised Sketchup BIM model as a source for all factory production information and on-site construction documents. This was a really popular visit and a great opportunity to see low tech materials being be used with great accuracy and efficiency.  Further info on the Ecofab system at www.eco-fab.co.uk. 

The next meeting will be on 2nd November in the Borough Arms, Bodmin where the Green Building Store will be presenting a CPD entitled PASSIVHAUS design & specification.  Email the Cornwall Group Coordinator Nick Donaldson for more information or if you would like to come. Non-members welcome.

For more information about Local Group events, please click here.