Earlier this month, Maranco Construction, Dundrum, hosted an excellent and very informative study tour for South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Building Construction students.

The students, from the College's Downpatrick campus, visited a unique home which is being constructed using green oak frame as the main structural element and combines skills and construction techniques which would have been used some hundred years ago.

The tour gave students the chance to see first-hand sustainable construction methods in action and learn how the skills they are learning now will be used in practice in the future.

Organised by SERC, the visit was designed to enhance student learning by giving students the opportunity to see first-hand the construction process and to speak to the engineers working in the industry.

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First, students were given a very detailed talk about Maranco’s daily operations and, with health and safety being paramount, were given a brief health and safety induction before getting the tour underway.

Next the students were given a guided tour of the home, pointing out its unique features along the way by Martin Coughlan, a past SERC Construction student and founder of Maranco Construction.

Students were shown that, while the frame is constructed using the most traditional methods known to man, the external envelope is constructed using modern methods of construction in order to meet with the stringent requirements of Building Regulations.

Kieran Gilmore SERC Construction lecturer explained: "We were delighted to be given the opportunity by Maranco Construction to visit their site.

"From the students' point of view it’s a great way to see first-hand the construction process and to speak to the engineers working in the industry.

"Feedback from the event has been very positive with students stating that they really enjoyed the day."

Kieran thanked Maranco Construction for facilitating the visit and added: "I really appreciate Maranco Construction taking the time to accommodate this group. They have been extremely helpful in facilitating the visit and the College would like to thank them for their help and cooperation."