Oregon Timber Frame Ltd is a leading manufacturer and supplier to major house builders, including Wimpy and Persimmon. Having successfully completed one KTP project in partnership with Napier University, Oregon embarked on a second KTP, which aimed to improve design and manufacturing processes and reduce the cost of timber frame construction, specifically, reducing or eliminating the need for structural steel reinforcement and reduce the cost of metal fixings in timber frames. The KTP also aimed to improve designs to allow the site erection of complete roof elements and ensure that new designs comply with emerging insulation regulations.

Under the programme post-graduate KTP Associate, Robert Hairstans, faced and overcame the challenge of reducing the amount of wood and the number of metal fixings used in timber frame construction. He also sought ways of replacing steel beams with composite timber and drew up the first scientific guidelines for lifting complete roof structures by crane.

Much of the Associate’s work was done in Eurocode, the regulations which will eventually replace British building standards.

As a result of the work carried out in this KTP, the Associate benefited greatly from the design and industry based timber engineering experience he gained, the results of which will contribute to his PhD. The project has led to a full-time position with Oregon and Robert’s work on Eurocode has led to an invitation to join the committee, examining how the changed building regulations will be applied in the UK.

“From a personal perspective, my education has been accelerated far quicker than I believe would have been the case in other avenues of industry and as a method of developing management skills, the project has been excellent,” Robert explains.