Summary
• Interbuild takes place between October 26-30.
• The Village is a new ‘live’ building demonstration area.
• Arnold Laver and Snows Timber will exhibit in the Timber Zone.
• German sawmiller Pollmeier makes its Interbuild debut this year.
Interbuild, which takes place between October 26-30 at the NEC, has firmly established itself as the annual meeting place for the building trade to ?nd out the about latest in British construction – and a fantastic showcase for everything that falls under the timber umbrella.
“Timber is the new black,” said Loretta Sales, sales manager for timber and offsite solutions at Interbuild. “This year’s Timber Zone has a truly international feel, with exhibitors from all over the world. It’s going to be a busy area.”
Top of the list of innovations this year is The Village, a ‘live’ building demonstration that showcases the latest modern methods of construction and sustainable building solutions.
Comprising a school, retail unit, eco-house and innovative examples of volumetric modular builds, organisers say it “taps into ongoing industry issues” including the government’s Building Schools for the Future agenda; affordable and increased housing provisions; as well as harnessing more sustainable solutions.
Hosted within Hall 5’s structural section, each of the elements will be erected especially for the five-day event but will then go on to be used in real life projects at the close of the show.
In terms of the housing content within The Village, the first – Interbuild’s Eco-House – is an example of a sustainable, three-storey, family home. Designed by Woodward Smith Architects and constructed and developed by Loosemore Chartered Building Company, the timber frame structure – provided by Taylor Lane – will eventually be rolled out across a private development in Barnstable, Devon, striving for ‘Eco-Town’ status.
Also on show will be the Elements House, an example of volumetric modular building by Elements Europe, and a bespoke open plan classroom facility by Built Offsite.
It’s certainly a fantastic advertisement for timber – a fast-growing attraction for Interbuild’s audience. Last year, more than 44,000 people visited the show – nearly a quarter of whom were there specifically to see timber-related products.
It’s no surprise to Jeremy Vibert, head of marketing and information services at TRADA, whose stand in the Timber Zone includes a full seminar programme, guided tours and models of timber frame detailing and the innovative Screedflo dB acoustic flooring system.
“We support Interbuild because it is the construction exhibition and is well attended by contractors and small builders who are one of the main customer groups for timber,” he said. “It is important to help the trade to have a focus at the exhibition. By having the Timber Zone we are able to provide an industry focus.”
TRADA seminar topics include airtightness testing for Part L; a specifiers guide to certified timber; building in oak frame; Code for Sustainable Homes explained; conservation and restoration of wood in historical buildings; contemporary wood buildings; the use of timber frame for school buildings; and wood products for structural use.
“The programme is designed to tell people that timber is not that difficult to use,” said Mr Vibert. “We are trying to get a consistent message across to users of timber products.”
