passivehouse+ | Issue 6
News Wood Marketing Federation launches student wood awards
The Wood Marketing Federation has launched the 2014 Third Level Student Wood Awards. The WMF is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and the student awards have played a major role in their annual programme since the awards were initiated in 2006. These are now regarded as the premier awards for third level students of architecture, engineering and design throughout Ireland who specialise in wood related projects. The objective of the awards is to encourage students to explore functional, aesthetic and design aspects of wood. The awards are open to students who incorporate wood as an inherent element in their projects. Award winners have gone on to pursue successful careers in wood and related businesses and have exhibited at Irish and international shows. The WMF was founded in 1980, and its mission
is to promote wood as a renewable, sustainable and versatile natural material. Projects to date include publication of the 376page hardback book Woodspec – A Guide to Designing, Detailing and Specifying Timber in Ireland, and the suite of technical information literature Talking Timber. As well as promoting wood to a specialist audience at trade shows in Ireland and UK such as Timber Expo, WMF also creates exhibitions aimed at the general public.
(above) Department of Agriculture minister of state Tom Hayes (right) presenting the 2013 Third Level Student Wood Award for architecture to Mark Pringle and Philip Ryan, DIT with Duncan Stewart, architect and chairman of judging panel.
Mike Teahan joins Ashgrove Renewables Leading sustainable heating firm Ashgrove Renewables has announced the appointment of Mike Teahan as technical sales engineer. Teahan has extensive experience working in the heating and plumbing sector in Ireland, with a long track record in heat pumps.
Forbo embraces BIM Sustainable flooring company Forbo has become the first manufacturer to upload carpet tile models using building information modelling BIM software, to combine manufacturer information with 3D modelling systems used by designers and other specifiers. Although still primarily used by architects, other professions including chartered surveyors, facilities managers and contractors are among those whose use of BIM is increasing. BIM offers exciting new possibilities for representing Forbo’s products, according to the company. Forbo’s Nuway models, for example, allow users to build up the construction of the carpet mat according to the available choices for that range. They can therefore select from the different depths in which the mat is available, or whether its surface is mounted or recessed. They can also change the wiper strips and inserts according to the variety offered by that particular range.
His role will combine technical design and sales for domestic and commercial projects of all sizes.
In the last three years, the percentage of people in the industry using BIM in the UK has grown from 13% to 39%. Of those in the industry aware of BIM but not currently using it, 91% predict that they will be within three years.
Teahan told Passive House Plus that he started working in the industry from a very young age, helping out in his father’s heating and plumbing business in Tralee. “I suppose you could say it’s in the blood,” he said. “Since I was about 12 or 13, I was putting together packages for plumbers coming into the shop.”
An Éasca approved company, Forbo’s early adoption of BIM is consistent with government recommendations and requirements, as well as a growing use of BIM as the industry recovers from the recession.
Teahan studied building science and technology in education, at the University of Limerick, and spent six years teaching in a secondary school afterwards. He started his own business in 2003, and later went on to work for Heat Pumps Ireland in Dundalk. He now joins the Ashgrove Renewables team.
Ashgrove supplies a wide range of renewable heating products, including geothermal and air source heat pumps, solar thermal systems, heat recovery ventilation and solid fuel stoves. (above) Experienced heat pump engineer Mike Teahan has joined Ashgrove Renewables
Forbo has had over 2,000 downloads since it launched its BIM representation facility on 1 October, 2013. Their most popular range has been Tessera carpet tiles, followed by Marmoleum and then Coral. (above) Forbo’s Coral Luxe entrance floor
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