Sep 21 2005
Contractor Geoffrey Osborne, one of the nine winners of the ODPM Design for Manufacture competition, will build a demonstration house on the Innovation Park at BRE, it was announced today.
The demonstration house will become the fourth full-scale house at the Innovation Park which was opened by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in June and has attracted more than 6,000 visitors. The Innovation Park provides a dynamic environment for professionals to learn about the latest developments in the construction industry. Currently showcasing more than 25 different construction technologies, the Park is a 'mini-village' of innovative construction that brings to life some of the most up-to-date and emerging technologies for buildings.
The Geoffrey Osborne house will demonstrate a structural insulated panel (SIP) building system, and will incorporate other innovative technologies that are relevant to the affordable housing sector.
Today's announcement marks the start of the second phase in the development of the Innovation Park - this phase also involves plans for a variety of public building demonstrations, including part of a school and a futuristic primary care facility. The first phase focused on homes and consists of three full-scale demonstration houses - concrete, steel and timber - that were first showcased at the OFFSITE2005 exhibition which attracted more than 4,000 housing experts to BRE's Watford site in June.
Dr Peter Bonfield, Managing Director of the Construction Division at BRE said: 'We are delighted that Geoffrey Osborne is our new partner on the Innovation Park. Interest in the Park has soared since OFFSITE2005 and we are confident that this exciting new building will demonstrate some of the latest technologies available.
'Our founding partners Hanson, Van Elle and Century Homes, have already found their investments in the Innovation Park to be yielding rewards. The addition of high calibre new partners such as Geoffrey Osborne means interest in the Park remains high and continues to augment.'
Explaining Geoffrey Osborne's decision to invest in the Innovation Park, Divisional Director Paul Ensch said: 'This opportunity demonstrates our on-going commitment to research and development and to providing innovative solutions to our clients'.