The project is unique in that it is completely student led and built with a start date for construction in December 2012 and a projected completion date in May 2013. The design and technologies within the studio will be tested in real-world scenarios over a period of four years, generating an understanding of the relationship between user behaviour and technical performance. The project has gained
significant support from industry in terms of in-kind expertise, direct funding, with £140,000 worth of materials and components being contributed for the build. The construction uses an innovative Scottish manufactured timber system, the Cullen Space Stud, which makes use of low grade locally grown timber in a new, commercially viable structural product. It gives increased wall depth while minimising thermal bridging and increasing the ability to self-build at low cost. The Studio also makes use of a novel foamed concrete raft foundation slab, which has been contributed by ProPump, that provides structure and insulation in a single material reducing groundwork costs.
