House building - in a day!

Construction experts in Shropshire set out on a world first – to build a completed house in less than 12 hours.

The two-storey home, complete with carpets and furniture, was being constructed in Telford in a bid to put the county's building technology and skills on the global map. A car park at Telford College of Arts and Technology was the blank canvas for the Shropshire Constructing Excellence Club.

Workers began by positioning the ground floor of the two-bedroomed house on site at 6.30am yesterday morning.

The project has attracted interest from constructors, architects, building suppliers and Government agencies who were in Telford today to see the build take place.

SCEC chairman Carl Huntley said the aim was to showcase innovation available in construction methods.

The first floor was in place by 11am and the roof went on shortly after 2pm. Workmen moved in to install a kitchen, bathroom, carpets and fixtures and fittings.

Mr Huntley said: "About 99 per cent of the build has been done in the factory and then brought on to site. There are huge benefits to building like this and this is one of the directions construction is going to go."

Much of the building was constructed off-site by Elements Europe, of Oswestry, which specialises in off-site manufacture of "pod-style" construction, with input from insulated panel specialists SIP Build and Telford-based Building Components.

TCAT principal Doug Boynton said: "We have been putting buildings up for 10 years here at TCAT but never before in one day.

"We have a lot of adults and young people here. Some are preparing for work, some are in work, and for them to be able to see emerging technology in front of their eyes is brilliant."

A viewing gallery was created at TCAT for students and a conference explaining the project was taking place as the building was constructed.

The house, which was being officially opened by Telford MP David Wright, will be open to the public today and Saturday.