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Eden co-hosts Construction in the Green Economy conference

Industry experts from the south west are gathering at Eden on 11 May for a special conference on sustainable construction.

The Institution of Civil Engineers event focuses on how the sector can deliver building projects sustainably within the context of climate change legislation and financial constraints. Discussions will centre on what the government’s green agenda means for engineers, designers and constructors, as well as look at practical ways to gain funding and to minimise energy and materials.

There’ll also be an opportunity to hear from Eden experts on what we’ve learnt over the last decade about sustainable construction [right].

One of the speakers, Caron Thompson, who led Eden’s pioneering regeneration work at White River Place in St Austell, says: ‘One of Eden’s aims as a leader in the field of sustainable construction is to share the learning from our projects both on and off site and to stimulate and encourage discussion from other practitioners in the industry.

‘The ICE conference has an exciting range of speakers that offers the opportunity for participants to consider how inspiration and innovation, backed with an understanding of the practicalities of delivering a project, can work together as a driver for more sustainable projects.’

Key speakers include representatives from CIRIA, Network Rail and North Devon Homes, and the day will culminate in a guided tour around the Eden site.

The Construction in the Green Economy conference takes place on Wednesday 11 May from 9.30–4.00 at the Eden Project, Cornwall. The cost of the day is £125 excluding VAT per delegate, and will include the opportunity of a guided tour around Eden Project site. To find out more about the conference visit the ICE website. To book a place and for any enquiries please contact Charlotte Snooks on 01752 896749 or email charlotte.snooks@ice.org.uk

 Check out how Eden has built its iconic, sustainable buildings.

Green Build shaping up for this weekend

Cornwall’s first sustainable construction event, where Clear About Carbon will run several seminars, is shaping up nicely, with several new exhibitors confirmed.

• Visitors will be able to step inside and take a look around the beautiful Studio Ark (right), a compact eco building made of timber made by local company Pioneer Environmental Buldings.
• RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) will be offering free Ask an Architect sessions on their stand, where members of the public can ask about reconfiguring their home to maximise space, add value or introduce energy- and money-saving measures. Homeowners are encouraged to bring along any drawings they have.
• There’ll also be a fully charged electric car onsite.

Visitors can also find out about green building options, renewable energy and careers in Cornwall during the two days, through:

• The Renewable Energy Street: Information on solar hot water, solar electricity, biomass boilers, wind power systems and heat pump options – plus material on the Feed in Tariff and the Renewable Heat Incentive.
• An exhibition of local construction suppliers that have adapted their operations to meet the growing green building market. Information on training and career development opportunities in the renewable sector throughout the country.
• Free seminars exploring issues such as low-impact building and recycled building materials, living roofs, waste minimisation and retrofitting. These are aimed at construction industry delegates on the Friday, while Saturday’s seminars will be of interest to the general public.

Find out more about the event programme on the Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust website, where you should also register to get free entry to Green Build, to take part in Friday’s seminars for the construction industry, or to book an Ask an Architect session.