Accompanying Wales Trade International as an official delegate on their trade mission to the Gulf from 4 to 16 February 2005¹, the UK's "Grandfather of Timber Frame"², Professor Michael Benfield has been critical of conditions that hold back innovation and building science in the UK.
"The UK Construction Market has refined the lessons learnt from the Scandinavian, Canadian and Australian timber building sectors over the past few years." said Professor Benfield "We are now in an enviable and leading position to deliver high performance, energy efficient and long lasting buildings at a time when the rest of the world is striving to meet increasing pressures for sustainable development."
"Under these conditions, this Mission could well facilitate the creation of a Welsh / UK consortium to deliver a range of professional services connected with sustainable Off-Site Construction (OSC)"? Professor Benfield added. "UK House-builders, Contractors and other Professionals are increasingly frustrated by delays, prevarication and over-regulation from UK planning authorities and Government. This prevents them fully satisfying their domestic markets, where they have enormous experience and know-how in producing high quality projects at some of the lowest prices in Europe. I suspect many may find it easier to contribute their knowledge and capability, especially of MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) - to benefit emerging nations, such as those in the Gulf States."
Following the steady growth of the UK-Gulf export market (British goods exported to the Gulf in 2004 totalled over £5 billion, with £121 million from Wales³), Professor Benfield, who heads Timber Frame Construction company Benfield ATT (Advanced Timber-Frame Technologies), is accompanying a private delegation with interests in developing business and construction relationships with the Gulf states.
Professor Benfield has a demanding itinerary, with several meetings with architects, engineers, construction companies and property developers already scheduled throughout Bahrain, Kuwait and Dubai. As well as his company's own work into Super-Energy conserving houses which are suitable for tropical, desert and arctic climates, it is expected that his work with the University of Wales and collaboration with organisations like TRADA into Earthquake and Hurricane resistant structures, will be a hot conversation topic.
The Department of Civil & Construction Engineering at the University is investigating the application and acceptance of UK building science, developed under Professor Benfieldâ's guidance, to meet local conditions and requirements. It is thought that the trip will encourage and establish links for applied research for appropriate local education and other institutions.
"There is a lot of interest in our research ideas,"? said Professor Benfield, "We have been developing these for some time and I'm confident that this trip will add strength to these."
Ends
|
Press Release distributed: 09 February 2005. Click below to view on news sites.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information for Editors:
- ¹ Dr Benfield was welcomed as a keynote speaker at last years "Wood for Good" seminar on Timber Frame as "The Grandfather of Timber Frame"
- ² The high-profile Wales Trade International Gulf Mission includes Chamber of Commerce, Trade & Industry and Embassy networking events, and is aimed at promoting international dialogue with Wales.
- ³ Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, UAE , Saudi & Oman) year to Sept 2004 had exports from Britain total £5,063,000,000 and £121,000,000 from Wales. Source: Wales Trade International
Professor Michael Benfield - Leading Timber Frame Expert. Having built the UK's first private development of Timber Frame homes back in the 1960s and 70s, Dr Benfield understands the importance of timber frame in the future of the industry. A practicing developer, builder and trainer, Dr Benfield has consulted and represented the industry at leading world-class committees and events and has worked with the New Homes Marketing Board, UK Timber Frame Association and Royal Town Planning Committees to riase the profile of Off Site Manufacture. He is a respected public figurehead, having consulted BBC Radio, BBC One, ITV and Discovery Home & Leisure. His Timber Frame Manufacturing company, Benfield ATT, is the only company of its type to be FSC-Certified and Business in the Community Awarded. More information at www.benfieldatt.co.uk/media/biographies/
