The StartLife house, designed by Benfield ATT specially for the show, was part of the W6 organisers’ efforts to diversify the exhibition to include the whole timber supply chain.
Sponsors displaying their products in the house included Laminated Wood Ltd, which provided the glulam structural frame, I-level Trus Joist (Spatial Roof system), SmartPly (OSB), Timbmet Silverman (decorative internal panels) and joinery manufacturer Jeld-Wen (stairs).
Others included Eco Deck UK Ltd (ipe deck tiles), Eco Windows (French doors and windows), Bespoke Parquet and Foresbec UK (mezzanine flooring), John Brash & Company Ltd (timber shingles) and Panel Agency Ltd (SasmoX internal lining boards).
JJ Smith, which supplies production technology to the timber frame sector, was an additional sponsor, while TTJ sister magazine Timber Building was distributed from the house.
Benfield ATT estimates it can provide a completed dry-built StartLife starter home, including joinery, for around £49,000 (excluding land cost and installation of services).
Benfield managing director Dr Michael Benfield said the company was increasingly looking at providing such packages.
“We are very pleased that the W6 organisers have been so delighted with what we have done for them and amazed by the wonderful recognition we have had from visitors,” he said.
He said the partially exposed house structure illustrated the possibilities of using timber.
