Clearview National April 2017 - Issue 185 | Page 10

INDUSTRYNEWS
EMPOWER YOUR SPECIFICATION
Conference chair, Ruth Slavid, gives her view on why
Materials 2017 is a must-attend event for architects...
» » RUTH SLAVID IS A
freelance architectural writer
and consultant as well as author
of seven books on architecture
including three books on wood
plus Extreme Architecture:
“Building for challenging
environments (2009). The top
architectural journalist and former
editor of the Architects Journal
who will be chairing the event’s
conference has demonstrated
strong support for the event,
explaining why architects
should attend: “I think it’s really
important to have an event that
focuses on materials. Architects,
of course, talk about form, space,
and light, but in order to create
those you have to create them
with the materials - whether
they’re structural materials or the
building envelope.”
Regarding the Materials 2017
conference programme Ruth
said:
“There’s a really good line-
up of speakers, a combination
of practitioners and people
from industries who are at the
forefront of development. People
like Andrew Waugh of Waugh-
Thistleton Architects who has
really pioneered the use of CLT
in building, and people like Tim
Macfarlane who’s done some
of the most innovative work in
glass.
“We all know that knowledge
is power, and knowledge about
the best and newest materials will
give architects the power to make
the wisest and most imaginative
choices in their designs. This
should not only give them an
edge when bidding for work; it
should also help them to defend
their designs and to ensure that
the materials they specify are
used, through the ability to
explain just why they made the
choices that they did. The result
should be better, more beautiful
and more effective buildings.”
Materials 2017 is the new
conference and exhibition
focused entirely on the cutting-
edge of material solutions for
architecture, construction, and
design. It was conceived from the
burning necessity for a nuanced
perspective on building product
specification and procurement.
In addition to showcasing
striking aesthetic designs created
with different materials, the
conference and exhibition will
explore functionalities of materials
which extend beyond the visual.
The emphasis on materials for
structures, envelope, façades and
finishes is testament to the fact
that Materials 2017 adopts a
comprehensive and multifaceted
approach to architects’ needs.
Free workshop aims to inspire
more women into the trades
» » ON FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY WOMEN
from across London attended a free ‘trade’ taster
workshop focused on Repairs & Maintenance
organised by Mears Group.
After the success of the first two workshops
last year in Nottingham and Cardiff, a third
Taster Day was held at the Construction Youth
Trust, Training Centre in Bermondsey last
week.
The series of workshops around the UK aims
to provide a practical and inspiring learning
experience for women who wish to ‘have a go’ at
a trade before deciding on whether to pursue a
career in building maintenance.
The taster session consisted of practical
training work in several trade skills including
plumbing, joinery, and painting and decorating
led by a qualified trades trainer. The women
were also informed of career opportunities in
the Repairs & Maintenance sector and the
progression and support systems open to them.
10 » A PR 2017 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
Another 3 taster sessions are planned for this
year in Manchester, Brighton, and Canterbury.
One of the participants commented: “We
need more of these initiatives for every borough
… I wish I had brought all the women I know to
this event.”
Gainor Keeton, Mears Project Manager, said,
“ Only 1% of construction trade operatives
in the construction sector are female. We are
determined to do better than this and to increase
the number of tradeswomen across the social
housing building maintenance sector. We also
support other organisations to get the message
out that there are good careers for women to
be had in social housing maintenance. This is
not only the right thing to do but we know
that the best workforce is one which reflects the
communities in which we serve. ”
Wendy Heller, Training, Development and
Curriculum Manager at Construction Youth
Trust commented, “15 women came through
the door today with very little or no previous
knowledge or experience of the building repairs
and maintenance sector. After participating
in various tasks and workshops, 11 confirmed
they would now happily consider a career in
the sector. Clearly, knowledge is the key here;
knowledge of the industry itself, knowledge of
potential opportunities, skills knowledge and the
assurance that, given these opportunities, women
can enjoy a long, productive and successful
career in the building repairs and maintenance
sector.”