The Tregynon-based research programme behind an innovative building system that uses sustainable Welsh wood is the pride of Europe after winning a prestigious award.
Haf Roberts, supply chain manager from Coed Cymru, the partnership which promotes the sustainable management and use of woodlands and forests in Wales, travelled to Brussels on St David’s Day to receive the European timber network’s InnovaWood Prize 2011.
The new prize - for European forest and timber innovation and technology transfer projects – aims to foster co-operation and the sharing of knowledge between InnovaWood members and industry.
First winner is the Tŷ Unnos: Sustainable Housing from Sitka Spruce project funded by the Technology Strategy Board and led by Coed Cymru, which is based at Tregynon, near Newtown.
The project consortium includes the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), a member of the InnovaWood network, the Design Research Unit at the Welsh School of Architecture, Bangor University, consultant structural engineers Burroughs of Cardiff, Kenton Jones Joinery, Welshpool, Pontrilas Timber and Builder’s Merchants Ltd, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Cowley Timberwork.
Originally funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency and Powys County Council and the Forestry Commission, the project’s mission was to develop a system of high performance, affordable housing based on the properties of home-grown timber.
The Tŷ Unnos building system comprises a series of portal frames made from Welsh spruce beams. Secondary ladder beams span between these frames to form floor and ceiling joists and wall studs before pre-insulated infill panels with voids for windows and doors are attached.
Roger Thomas, Coed Cymru’s chairman, said the Tŷ Unnos consortium was delighted with the award, which recognised innovation and excellence.
“The Tŷ Unnos approach illustrates how collaborative working between woodland and forest management organisations, academia, timber experts and design and other professionals can bring benefits to the forest and wood industries,” he said.
“It also strengthens the competitiveness of the supply chain through integrating innovation, research, jobs and skills around a viably sustainable, affordable and innovative product.”
The name Tŷ Unnos, meaning ‘a house in one night’ in the Welsh language, refers to the ancient tradition of building a house overnight to claim rights to the land for a home in the rural parts of Wales.
The Tŷ Unnos project is no stranger to accolades, having previously won a UK Technology Strategy Board research and development funding award, the Cardiff University 2009 Innovation Prize, the Chartered Institute of Building’s International Design and Architecture Award, TRADA’s 75th Anniversary Award and the Interbuild Award for innovation in offsite construction.