This year’s Grand Designs Live which takes place from the 1st-9th May at London’s ExCeL Centre will offer a greater range of expert advice for your building, home improvement, interior or garden design project than ever before, and all for the price of your/an entry ticket!
Building on the phenomenal success of last year’s event, organizers have gone all out to ensure that the very best in expert help is available to visitors of this year’s show. So, if you’re planning to start your own project or are simply looking for answers to build-related questions then the Grand Designs Expert Advice Centre sponsored by VELUX is the place for you.
Leading industry specialists from across the UK will be there, from fields as far and wide as architecture, finance, structural engineering, planning, self-build and interior design.
Very much an interactive and personal experience, visitors will be able to have a FREE, one-to-one consultation with the experts, in which they can pick the brains of professionals on anything and everything from planning applications and building design to general interiors and gardening ideas.
In order to take full advantage of the help on offer, visitors are encouraged to bring their project plans, pictures or even videos to the show.
Here are some of the expert organisations at this year’s show:
Planning & Building
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) will have a number of chartered architects, on hand to offer free advice without obligation. The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists will provide technical guidance on how to carry out your project from conception to completion. The largest professional institute for planners in Europe, the Royal Town Planning Association will have their qualified planners ready to help you navigate the planning system, and the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) will also be on hand to help you plan your dream living space.
Retrofitting Your Home
In keeping with the show’s environmentally responsible image, the Carbon Free Group, Energy Saving Trust and National Self Build and Renovation Centre’s David Hilton will be around to offer suggestions on all things eco-friendly. In addition, the Grand Designs Expert Advice Centre will feature three building conservation groups in the form of The Georgian Group, The Landmark Trust and The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).
Expert minds
Heading the cast of top individuals is Grand Designs Magazine architectural expert Peter Caplehorn, who returns for his 6th successive show. Finance guru Mary Riley, urban designer and planner Roger Estop and project manager Graham Davies will also be on hand to provide tips and share useful information.
If it’s structural issues that are your concern then look no further than engineers Daniel Wallington and Stuart Tappin. Anything from surveys, appraisals, building defect analysis, repairs, alterations, demolitions or scaffolding, the pair will have it covered.
To help with planning permission in areas of conservation to dealing with neighbourly disputes, Andrew Thompson from Barrett Lloyd Davis Associates will be on hand in The How To…BUILD Theatre sponsored by Bosch
How To… BUILD Theatre sponsored by Bosch
The Grand Designs Live How To…BUILD Theatre sponsored by Bosch will be a veritable fountain of knowledge for the duration of the show’s nine days, with a diverse range of informative talks to suit all levels of interest. The feature offers hands-on workshops and advice with solid practical information – this is the place to learn something new.
Both the consumer and trade sectors will be catered for with DIY tips as well as several Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars on offer.
Whether you’re after the right renewable materials for your property or just want to learn how to add value to your home, there’ll be a seminar with your name on it. From maximizing daylight in the home with the VELUX design Pod, to fitting solar water systems or choosing under-floor heating, the array of topics are bound to prove useful if you’re planning a build project
No problem too big or small
So, if you’re tempted to convert your current loft space, reduce your carbon footprint, submit a planning application, design a new home or just generally make the most of your current space, no project is too big or too small for the Grand Designs Expert Advice Centre, and the show’s wide range of on-site experts. Save yourself the financial and emotional pain of unnecessary mistakes and speak to the experts for FREE before you get your project underway…
Check the Grand Designs Live website for a full list of experts. And don’t forget to bring those plans! Grand Designs Live, London runs from Saturday 1st – Sunday 9th May 2010, at London’s ExCeL Centre. Book tickets now and save £5* through www.granddesignlive.com, or call the 24 hour box office on 08445810771 + kids go free.
Ticket Information:
Open daily 10am – 6pm
| Standard prices | Advanced | On the door |
| Weekdays (Tuesday – Friday) | £10 | £15 |
|
Weekend |
£13 | £18 |
| Children (aged 15 or under) | Free (ticket is required) |
Group Discounts
Bring your friends and save even more, with great discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Call 0800 358 0058 for further details on group discounts.