19 May 2009

Canadian High Commissioner meets Tenants First

[Click here for a text copy of full press release]

Mr James R. Wright, Canadian High Commissioner to United Kingdom met Tenants First Housing Co-operative in Aberdeen on Tuesday 19th May 2009 to discuss the construction of energy-efficient Canadian timber homes in Aberdeen.

4 new homes are to be built with funding from Aberdeen City Council. The Canadian Super E ® system focuses on air-tightness, enhanced thermal performance and whole house ventilation and heat recovery. It is a fully “engineered solution” designed for the harshest of Canadian weather conditions. Through discussions with the suppliers JPJ Enterprises, MGA architects and CHAP Construction, we have concluded that the Super E ® system offers a much enhanced performance from the standard UK timber frame home. Work began on site in April 2009, with the homes manufactured in Canada and programmed for delivery in June.

Martin van der Lee, Tenants First Vice-Chair, explained:

“This project continues Tenants First’s international research into innovative house construction systems in order to provide the highest standards of quality and affordability for our members. We have identified a Canadian system which we believe will help to significantly develop our knowledge and construction expertise. A key element will be on site training from the Super E ® technicians who will travel here from Canada.”

James R. Wright, Canadian High Commissioner to UK, commented: 

“The Super E ® system is tried and tested in Canada, where our winters are much more severe than the UK and high thermal performance is vital for new homes. The technology has been developed over a number of years and is successfully exported throughout the world. I hope that this business model can prove successful for Tenants First and the Scottish market and I look forward to hearing more as the project progresses.” 

Photograph (from left to right)

Sandy Murray, Chief Executive, Tenants First Housing Cooperative

James R. Wright, Canadian High Commissioner to UK

Alastair Scott-Kiddie, Technical Director, Fairhurst Engineers

Euan Barr, Development Manager, Tenants First Housing Cooperative

Martin van der Lee, Vice-Chair, Tenants First Housing Cooperative

John Buchan, Partner, MGA Architects

Jim Young, Construction Director, CHAP Construction