NMITE PRIMED FOR TED 2 COURSE

NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering) is set to welcome a new cohort onto its new Timber Technology Engineering Design 2 (TED 2) CPD course, following the success of its TED 1 courses. Starting from 5 June 2023, the new course is once again delivered in partnership with Timber Development UK and Edinburgh Napier University.

The new TED 2 course is designed to appeal to a wide range of Built Environment Professionals, working in architecture firms and construction companies including designers, architectural assistants or those involved in technical sales. Learners are not required to have completed TED 1 but some prior industry knowledge is expected.

TED 2 runs as a 12-week course held within a virtual learning environment, allowing students to work at their own pace, supported by academic mentorship and support. There are also three oncampus residentials at NMITE in Hereford, within the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT). This is a purpose built 2,500m2 “Living Lab” hybrid structure which demonstrates advanced timber technologies and acts as an exemplar in the region, aspiring to net zero carbon targets.

Professor Robert Hairstans, Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT) Director, comments: “The launch of our

TED 2 course builds on our successful TED 1 course, both of which are designed to help solve the climate crisis problem by championing the use of the natural, renewable capital of timber that we have. TED 1 was a huge success with learners coming away feeling equipped to champion the use of timber in their workplace.

“Fundamental to all NMITE courses is to provide a student-centric approach with a curriculum fuelled by real-world challenges working with external stakeholders, industry practitioners and academic collaborators. I believe this approach is fundamental to our cohorts’ enjoyment and engagement with the course and I suspect is also why we are so successful at attracting diversity on our courses.”

TED 2 includes two design briefs for which students have a chance to construct during the on-campus residentials. The process progresses the TED 1 challenges which went from simple connections to basic supported structures, to integrated design with additional layers within the final structure, for which students exhibit to an invited audience.

In addition to the design element which runs throughout the course, technology and construction are the other modules that are covered in two, six-week blocks. Technology covers off the theory and capacity of computer aided design and manufacture

(CAD/CAM), Building Information Modelling, CNC machines for timber, architectural drawings, connectors and fixings of timber, manufacturing of timber components, hybrid solutions such as metal web joists, and future technologies such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality and new biogenic based materials.

Architectural Assistant at dRMM, Olivia Chan, completed the NMITE TED 1 course earlier this year. Olivia comments: “Within the course, I have been encouraged to develop a detailed material understanding which incorporates the lifecycle of timber. This has included a theoretical and practical understanding of how to sustainably grow, procure, apply, and upcycle timber as well as how to maintain the timber supply chain in a way that ensures our sustainable future.

“The opportunity to connect a theoretical understanding and speak to people in forestry, milling and design has fostered a collaborative learning environment. Practical, material-based lab work has allowed me to learn how to research and detail small-scale timber projects. Hands-on experience like being able to test our own theories within a specialist timber laboratory has helped me build my experience and has improved my confidence in advocating for timber.” www.nmite.ac.uk

Lowfield Timber Frames Assist Eac

Lowfield Timber Frames recently hosted the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EOC) who were investigating for their inquiry on sustainable timber and deforestation. The inquiry is to examine the sustainability of timber in the UK and the UK’s contribution to global deforestation. The inquiry will investigate how the UK can best scale up a sustainable, resilient domestic timber sector and reduce its reliance on imports.

In addition, the inquiry will examine the degree to which UK supply chains contribute to deforestation overseas and the effectiveness of the government’s efforts to curb this. Consideration will also be given to how the UK works with international partners to tackle deforestation. Darren Jarman, Managing Director at Lowfield said “It was a pleasure to the show the EOC around our operation and, as well as showcasing some of the exciting net zero projects we are involved with, highlight some of the challenges faced in sector.”

Lowfield Timber Frames provided the delegates with a presentation and a tour of their manufacturing facility to support the inquiry. The presentation demonstrated the current issues facing the timber frame industry which relies on high quality timber but also understands the importance of sustainability. They also suggested recommendations for the inquiry to look at including an emphasis on policies to reduce embodied carbon within the construction industry. The presentation was then later used as written evidence to the inquiry.

Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Rt Hon Philip Dunne & MP for Ludlow, said: “It was a pleasure to visit Lowfield Timber Frames recently with colleagues on the Environmental Audit Committee. In Net Zero

Britain, we must consider all alternative building materials as our built environment contributes a quarter of all UK greenhouse gas emissions: and timber framed buildings will be part of the solution. It’s encouraging to see thriving local companies – like Lowfield Timber Frames – leading the way in developing and delivering net zero construction.” www.lowfieldtimberframes.co.uk

Lowfield Timber Frames have recently completed their second Passivhaus school in Welshpool, less than eight miles from their head office. Lowfields have been pioneers in the Woodknowledge Wales, Home-grown Homes project, their Sarn development of seven Passivhaus homes for Powys County Council was shortlisted for the Unlock Net Zero Awards held in Manchester.