Timber Expo has announced details of its comprehensive seminar schedule as part of the upcoming UK Construction Week at the Birmingham NEC.
The Timber Focus Theatre will be coordinated by TRADA (the Timber Research and Development Association) providing three days (18th – 20th October) of seminar sessions focusing on a broad spectrum of trends and issues facing the timber industry.
Innovating with timber
On day one, David Hopkins, Managing Director of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF), will chair a host of seminars focusing on pushing the boundaries of what is possible with timber. Topics will include building timber skyscrapers, innovations and growing the timber market.
Speakers include Michael Ramage, Senior University Lecturer in architectural engineering at Cambridge University and John Shanks, Associate Structural Engineer at Buro Happold and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Bath.
David Campbell, Membership and Training Director at the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) will lead an afternoon session looking at how the industry can attract and keep new recruits.
Simplifying specification
The second day of Timber Expo 2016 will tackle the challenges of making timber specification easier. Panellists will discuss the introduction of TRADA’s new Timber Pre-Scheme Manual, as well as how the UK’s National Structural Timber Specification (NSTS) has helped major sub-contractors receive the correct timber specifications.
The custom and self-build market will also be up for discussion on day two, with Richard Bacon, MP for South Norfolk and instigator of the ‘Right to Build’ Act joining the speaker line-up.
Hybrid construction
Hybrid construction will be the talking point of day three: speakers from Buro Happold, Bennett’s architects and KLH will draw on case studies to bring out their key points on the subject.
The final day will also look at the continuing innovation of structural timber frames and UK manufacturing, with speakers including Alex Cook (Barratt Developments PLC), Alastair Parvin (WikiHouse Foundation), Calum Murray (CCG Scotland) and Alex Goodfellow (Stewart Milne Timber Systems).
Timber Flooring Workshop
In addition to the comprehensive seminar schedule coordinated by TRADA, the Timber Expo will also feature a Timber Flooring Workshop, set up in conjunction with the Flooring Industry Training Association.
The workshop will feature a series of informative presentations covering products from all areas of contact flooring, including wood, carpet, vinyl, laminate, tools and accessories.
