UWTSD’s CWIC hosts lecture by BRE Director Colin King

UWTSD’s Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC) was delighted to host a guest lecture by Colin King, Director of Building Research Establishment (BRE) and UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings, which was held at the Alex Reading Room in Swansea.

The talk, which explored the causes of dampness in housing stock and which also underlined the importance of quality, design and craftsmanship in the industry, was attended by staff and students from the university’s school of architecture, built & natural environment.

One of the uks foremost experts on refurbishment Colin King, was appointed as the new director of BRE Wales in 2015, with key responsibilities for refurbishment and the hygrothermal performance of buildings.  Colin was the senior technical advisor to the welsh government on the last changes to part l of the building regulations, and sits on numerous committees such as bs5250 code of practise for control of condensation in buildings, dclg part c steering group, and the dbeis moisture risk advisory group.

Addressing his audience Mr King said : “One of the greatest risks to the buildings in the UK is moisture, in all its forms, wind driven rain, internal vapour creation and flooding, it is imperative that the next generation of construction professionals understand the risks that moisture creates, how to diagnose it accurately and specify materials and finishes according to the risks it poses. the approach must consider the context of the building, the coherence of design to reflect the context, and a full understanding of the capacity for improvement, where uncertainty exists then caution is the only approach.”

Gerald Naylor, director of Construction Wales Innovation Centre said:  “The Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC) is particularly pleased to be supporting the work of the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in this important area of construction. The university’s built environment students and contractors received professional advice from a leading expert in the field of retrofit issues and dampness problems in buildings. The BRE director, Colin King answered probing questions from the audience and gave his valuable insight into viable and sustainable solutions.”

Trevor Francis, UWTSD’s senior lecturer and programme director for building surveying and property management said: “It was a real privilege to have Colin who is a genuine, international expert in this field, addressing industrialists, students and academic staff. Our existing building stock in Wales is very severely challenged by wind driven rain and the impacts that climate change is making on many pre 1980 building types; thus Colin’s extensive experiences and approaches to dealing with vapour open building material solutions is key to avoiding many issues that currently arise within contemporary practice. Colin’s talk was clear, frank and lively”. we would hope to repeat this in the future.”

The construction wales innovation centre (CWIC) is a unique CITB funded all-Wales training centre, due to open in September 2018, with its hub forming part of the new £300 million SA1 Swansea Waterfront development.

Using a hub and spokes model, its partners or spokes include Coleg y Cymoedd, Coleg Cambria, Coleg Ceredigion, Coleg Sir Gar and the Building Research Establishment.  Since September 2016 they, along with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David have been delivering bespoke and specialist training to all sectors and levels within the Welsh construction industry including its supply chain.

Around 1,200 people have received training from CWIC – before the hub has even been built at the SA1 Waterfront site. And to date the partnership has also delivered over 170 events. CWIC’s activities have also supported 305 welsh employers through its engagement with Welsh construction industry professionals, operatives and related staff.