John Brash Western Red Cedar Shingles and Shakes have been used on the roof and walls of three luxurious new Treehouses at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest. The two-storey, four bedroom lodges which stand on stilts are due for completion in November and will be ready for guests in January 2011.

The behaviour of a building’s users may be at least as important as its design when it comes to energy use. Kathryn Janda, from the UK Energy Research Centre’s Energy Demand theme, argues that architects are well placed to take more responsibility for educating and informing the general public about how buildings work and that school buildings in particular could become part of the education process and not just static spaces.

Mount Hawke based heating and electrical specialists Govan Ltd are flying the Cornish flag after becoming just one of seven companies nationwide accredited to install a form of renewable technology which reduces household carbon emissions and energy bills, and pays a guaranteed income too.

Local authorities in Wales have the opportunity to compare the financial and environmental costs of different methods of kerbside recycling collections, thanks to a new Eunomia report. ‘Kerbside Collections Options:Wales’ studies collections in six Welsh local authorities to identify which methods generate the best outcomes.

Trainee gas engineers in East Durham will be able to gain essential gas qualifications and learn valuable life skills thanks to a donation by Kier Building Maintenance North.

HBF has welcomed today’s announcement that funding for the Zero Carbon Hub has been secured for another year. But whilst commending the Hub on the progress that has been made, it stressed the importance of the Hub taking the lead in the further work needed to find practical ways that will allow the industry to deliver low and zero carbon homes.  

Insulslab SFRC, the super insulated and fully integrated foundation system, has been underpinned with increased sales and technical support following the appointment of Steve Secker and Ben Taylor to the business development team.

Entries are invited for the first Natural Stone Sustainability Awards, launched by Stone Federation Great Britain as part of its ongoing sustainability strategy. The aim of the awards is to highlight the sustainable qualities of natural stone by rewarding outstanding achievements, awareness and innovation.