Over 200 key players from the UK's building design and construction industries, the higher education sector plus several overseas delegates gathered in Cambridge on Thursday 8 July for a construction seminar.

'The challenge of achieving quality cost effectively' was the theme of the day-long series of talks and discussions by leading figures from Britain and the USA, held at the spectacular new Centre for Mathematical Sciences. The seminar looked at the affordability of high quality standards of architecture and construction, and challenged attendees to consider their role in the continued improvement of working practice in the industry.

The event was part of an Open Day for the University's Estate Management and Building Service (EMBS) continuous professional development programme. There was also an exhibition of a wide range of construction, refurbishment and maintenance projects.

This is a highly significant time in the University's history, as it faces the demands of remaining a world-leading higher education and research institution, with nearly £600 million worth of development in progress.

Speakers included Richard Saxon, Director of architects BDP; Richard Feilden, CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) Commissioner and architect; Jon Hlafter, Director of Physical Planning at Priunceton, USA and Pamela Delphenich, University Planner at Yale. The seminar will open with a welcome speech from Professor Alison Richard, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and former Provost of Yale.

Other speakers were Buro Happold Chairman Michael Dickson who was joined for a panel discussion by Professor Ming Sun of the University of Western England; former Building magazine editor and now Publisher Adrian Barrick; Profesor Peter Landshoff, Chairman of the Cambridge School of Physical Sciences, and Paul Morrell, Director of Davis Langdon. Taking part in further discussion was Stef Stefanou, Chairman of the Construction Association.

An exhibition on all aspects of EMBS' work was open between 9am and 4.30pm in the 'central core' social area of the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. Members of the University were welcome to visit at any time during the day to view displays, models and audio-visual displays. There was also a live video feed from the seminar for general viewing.


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