BERKSHIRE: Wolseley celebrated the completion of the first 'Wolseley House' with an official launch at BuildStore's National Self-Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon.

Forming part of the UK's only permanent centre for self-builders and renovators, the exhibition gives visitors the rare opportunity to enter a house in its construction stages and to see sustainable technologies in-situ.

The project consists of a 1500sq ft, two-storey timber frame house and is open for visitors to explore.

The Wolseley House particularly focuses on sustainable and efficient building technologies. Many of these are visible as either finished or semi-exposed products, revealing to visitors the elements required for installation.

Tim Doherty, managing director - BuildStore Building Support, said: "We are thrilled to have Wolseley exhibiting at our Centre. As one of our key partners, we believe its offering to TradeCard members and self-builders is exceptional.

"To have the products displayed in our Centre in this way will help the self-builder to understand the benefits of working with a merchant to buy building materials."

Grant Richardson, sales director – Wolseley's heavyside division, added: "The Wolseley offering covers all aspects of the self build programme – from site preparation to landscaping.

"The house pays particular attention to sustainable building products – demonstrating how these new technologies can be implemented in the home and provides environmental and financial benefits to self-builders' and renovators' projects."

Products from Wolseley's Plumb Center, Drain Center, Build Center, Electric Center, Encon, Bathstore and Brandon Hire businesses are all present in the house – highlighting the range of products and technologies available from Wolseley, all under one roof.

The house also features a merchant branch area, manned by a dedicated branch manager, Tony Belsten. He will be based at the centre and can take live orders for product, as well as look at plans, provide quotations and discuss project options.

Also showcased are kitchen and bathroom showrooms featuring electronic Velux windows, impressively lit vaulted ceilings with the internal beams displayed and different floor coverings. Kitchen and bathroom design services are also available.

The ground floor of the building features a theatre in which seminars will be held. A full seminar and training programme will provide self- builders with a wealth of information on products and practices, and insight into the various stages of the construction of the house.

The different stages of the build have been documented through photography and are available to view on the dedicated Wolseley Self Build website.