Barratt and David Wilson Homes recently welcomed students from Sheffield Hallam University to provide a behind-the-scenes tour to view the sustainable practices at two developments on the eastern fringe of the city.
The students, who are currently in their first year studying Quantity Surveying, visited Affinity and The Waterside developments and were shown around and given insight by a site manager and members of the commercial team.
Part of the tour included the innovative Insight House. This four-bedroom, sustainable concept home has been transformed into an educational and interactive experience, which shows how new homes are built to save energy and reduce the impact on the environment. It will also help visitors see what they can do in their own homes to live in a more sustainable way.
Whilst viewing the interactive features in the property, the students were shown the Insight House’s wall displays which outline the construction process, alongside the principles and practices that Barratt and David Wilson Homes follow to create more energy efficient homes.
Dr Nathan Johns from Sheffield Hallam University, said: “At Sheffield Hallam University our teaching style is best summarised by two words: Knowledge applied. This could not be possible without working with our amazing industrial partners to organise site visits for students to see best practice within the construction industry.
“This visit to Affinity and The Waterside provided crucial on-site experience for our first-year quantity surveying students. Barratt and David Wilson Homes provided an excellent tour of their development and an in-depth view of their building pathology and construction methods. Our students will always remember that their first time on a live construction site was with Barratt and David Wilson Homes.”
Gavin Birch, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West, said: “We were thrilled to welcome students from Sheffield Hallam University to our Affinity and The Waterside developments in Waverley. We hope the tour gave the students some real life understanding about the construction industry, and that the Insight House provided a deeper understanding about the sustainability of brand-new homes.”
