Donaldson Timber Engineering and eco-architects Zedfactory are planning further collaborations after the pair’s show-stealing success of Zedfactory’s RuralZED Zero Carbon Home at Ecobuild.
The RuralZED Zero Carbon House, for which DTE was the selected supplier of PEFC certified timber roof trusses, was designed to give visitors an insight into the workings of an eco-friendly home, by means of cut-aways and exploded views, giving access to processes, products and practices.
MMC, including DTE’s trusses, was key to the delivery of the tight three day construction deadline required to get the house built before Ecobuild opened, while the certified timber components contributed to reaching the house’s environmental targets.
DTE managing director Jeremy English said: “Certified timber is without doubt one of the most sustainable standard building materials - renewable, biodegradable and a proven carbon sink. When it is used to produce engineered products, such as roof trusses and cassette floors, it makes an unbeatable contribution to MMC and the development of low carbon housing.”
Given just a two week time frame, DTE designed, manufactured and delivered roof trusses, on the day requested, to a site in East Sussex. Here the whole house was pre-constructed and the building was then transported, in sections, to Earls Court, where the various component parts were craned into position.
Matt Hoad, Zedfactory’s project architect on the Zero Carbon House said: “DTE has supplied trusses for our RuralZED system before, so it was our first choice on this occasion. The trusses were pre-fabricated into completed roof units, ideal for transportation, and were craned into position at Earls Court. The whole operation proved very successful and we are planning to exploit the potential of prefabricated roofs with DTE in the future.”
