Ecological Building Systems inspire ‘wood’ be CLT experts

More than 50 delegates from architectural practices and construction companies across the UK joined experts from Ecological Building Systems, product suppliers and industry experts recently at the company’s first ever CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) Masterclass.

Held at The Building Centre in London, the full day seminar included presentations from keynote speaker, Christine Lellig from Wood for Good, who outlined the potential for timber construction, and an introduction to CLT by Niall Crosson, senior engineer at Ecological Building Systems.

Architects Will Garner, formerly project architect at Fielden Clegg Bradley (FCB) Studios and now design manager at Midas construction, discussed the practical application of CLT construction at the recently completed Woodland Trust headquarters in Grantham. Bernard Tulkens, project lead at Tectonics, the architectural practice behind the first Passivhaus residential scheme in Hackney, also outlined the use of CLT in his project.

Delegates were also advised on the use of natural wood fibre insulation, air tight membranes and fixing methods from Ecological Building Systems’ suppliers, Gutex, Pro Clima and Heco, providing a full masterclass on optimised wall and roof build up using CLT as the primary structural component to create breathable, sustainable and efficient buildings.

Amongst the delegates was Steve Johnson from London-based firm, Architecture Ensemble.  He commented: “As a practice we have already delivered numerous projects based on timber construction and find the use of advanced natural wood materials like CLT and wood fibre insulation very exciting.

“This event really explored the potential of CLT and highlighted a best practice approach to using it in conjunction with other innovative materials to create buildings that are more thermally efficient as part of a fabric first approach. It was a day very well spent and I’m sure I’m not the only delegate who left feeling very inspired.”