Village of the future wins prestigious award for innovation

14 November 2007

The University of Manchester has won a prestigious global award for innovation at the IET’s annual Innovation in Engineering Awards.

Working in conjunction with house builder Barratt homes, The University of Manchester scooped the Built Environment award for the research project entitled Barratt’s EcoSmart Show village, based in Buckshaw near Chorley.

The University of Manchester and Barratt homes designed and built seven contemporary homes with the latest low carbon and renewable energy technologies in order to gather quality research data to evaluate the energy efficiency and performance of the technology.  The seven test homes are currently in the final phase of an 15 month data gathering exercise.

On completion of the data collection, the University will produce a set of design guidance for house builders, building control bodies and planning authorities which will inform and promote the adoption of vital renewable and energy saving technologies in the future.

A total of 15 awards, each sponsored by a major company, were presented and at a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London hosted by TV personality and science enthusiast Johnny Ball.

The host of “Think of a Number” said: “What makes a great innovator? Perhaps a little eccentricity, a desire for improvement, plus vision and the determination to see it through. All that equals the type of projects recognised through these awards. Innovators always ask ‘Why can't it be better?’ If it wasn't for innovation we would still have black and white television and mono radio.”

He continued: “Innovation is at the heart of business and wealth creation. It is right that we acknowledge those who push the boundaries of science, engineering and technology and it will be exciting to see how the innovations awarded this year will make their mark in the future. “

Robin McGill, CEO of the IET said: “These awards recognise the vital role that innovation in engineering plays in the global economy. On behalf of the IET I would like to congratulate all the winners who have displayed outstanding innovation in their respective categories.”

He added that because of the huge interest in the awards this year details of the 2008 awards would be available immediately on the IET web site at: www.theiet.org/innovationawards

The chairman of the judges, the managing director of i&i Limited said: “This entry addresses a key subject that will have widespread implications on the future of house building in the UK and beyond. Clearly there are significant savings to be made in carbon emissions and energy consumption in housing and it is essential that these are achieved on the basis of sound engineering analysis. If successfully implemented into mainstream house building, this innovative approach will have major effects on energy and efficiency within buildings. It pushes the current accepted practice well beyond normal boundaries, and the University of Manchester and Barratt Homes are to be congratulated on this fine example of productive cooperation between industry and academia.”

The Built Environment award is sponsored by Halcrow Yolles.

The awards have been supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and Make Your Mark in Manufacturing & Engineering.

Photographs of a company representative and Johnny Ball are available from the IET press office, along with contact details for the University of Manchester.

IET Press Office
Jenny Bond
Media and PR Officer
T: 020 7344 5445
E: jennybond@theiet.org