Photo Info : baca architects - Uk’s 1st amphibious
house - grand Designs – benfield att
how benFIelD att helP yoU create
the low energy buildings
you’ve always wanted
IntrIgUeD by the claImS oF thIS ‘FUll SerVIce’
comPany we DecIDeD to InVeStIgate theIr
aPProach a lIttle more.
value engineering: First, we wanted to know what was meant
by ‘Value Engineering’ (VE). Professor Dr. Michael Benfield, their
CEO, explained: “By focusing on the various ‘functions’ of a client’s
building and its components, we aim to identify and remove
unnecessary costs while at the same time maintaining - even
enhancing - its performance.”
Comprehensive Knowledge: This approach blends their
extensive and rather unique knowledge of all forms of timber
structure, building science, regulations, and state of the art
products with individual client’s design concepts. “For us,
value engineering starts with environmental planning and
regulatory impositions as part of our analytical and technical
design processes.” he explained. “These feed our drive for, and
commitment to, sustainable development through into waste
reduction, recycling and lean manufacture. It embraces a ‘Pride in
the Job’ and a ‘Right First Time’ mentality that is applied to all our
Design & Build (D&B) operations.”
FoCus on end user: Paying attention to end user demands is
central to Benfield ATT’s approach (the ATT stands for Advanced
Timber Technologies, by the way). They believe it enables them
to deliver highly effective, quality buildings for projects large &
small. This includes providing solutions for difficult to develop
sites, like soft ground, steeply sloping land and potential flood
plain areas.
produCt seleCtion: Self-evidently, to value engineer design &
build solutions, the selection of the most appropriate products
needs the services and methods used to be an integral part of
the process. Working closely with architects, building designers,
engineers and quantity surveyors, Benfield ATT helps select and
specify those which are most functionally appropriate and cost
effective. In turn this encourages the delivery of high quality
products to be protected, and results in saving time for on-site
build operations. All of this, they claim, reduces costs, enhances
client’s projects and helps to make them one of the most
competitive full service timber engineering design and build firms
in the UK.
FabriC First: In the current business climate it is perhaps not
surprising to find Efficiency, Performance & Cost Effectiveness
to be included in their key current considerations. This is most
clearly evidenced in their ‘Fabric First” approach to designing
really effective building envelopes. “There is a crucial need to
deliver highly energy efficient structures with optimum levels
of insulation, minimal thermal transmission and appropriate
airtightness for floors, walls, roofs, windows and doors.” explains
Prof Benfield. Unsurprising, therefore, that in their drive toward
Zero Carbon and minimal heating requirements, they offer factory
Insulated Panels, SIP’s, Green Oak, Post & Beam, Glulam and
Hybrid structures all orientated to achieve what was Code for
Sustainable Homes levels 4, 5, 6 and Passivhaus Standards.
speCialist builders’ merChants: Potentially, the procurement
of design specific components can create unforeseen difficulties,
for example locating the source of supplies, avoiding delays
in delivery lead times, quality assurance, and securing ‘best
value’ products and terms. Here Benfield ATT’s long established
connections, access and volume buying capabilities as
manufacturers and selective builder’s merchants, enables them
to secure and supply such requirements in the most timely and
competitive manner as part of their value engineered, design &
build methodology.
Catalysts For Quality: “We believe that our approach to
helping you create the ‘Low Energy Buildings you’ve always
dreamed of …’ is distinctly different” says Benfield. “We welcome
collaboration with other construction professionals in our drive
to achieve this.” In doing so, his company aims to help enhance
the professional construction team of architects, other designers,
engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, house-builders,
developers, et al, facilitating the delivery of the high quality
buildings they and their clients both need and want. And, if
end user clients like self-builders and home improvers lack any
of these skills, to be the catalyst drawing in those that are most
appropriate for each individual project. To compliment this they
offer a selective part or full project management service.
proFessional partnerships: While they are happy to
engage in ‘one off’ projects, Benfield ATT see the greatest
benefits to industry and end user occupiers as coming from the
establishment of long term ‘partnering’ style arrangements with
other construction professionals. This can include Joint Venture
arrangements for specific developments, which may be of interest
to land owners and those who wish to fund, say, housing schemes,
but lack the technical knowledge and industry experience
necessary to make them successful. In such cases they believe
that their comprehensive team approach can be highly valuable.