Examples of sustainability in building
There are many ways to make a building more sustainable and minimise the negative environmental impact:
- Making heating efficient through correct insulation.
- Using the thermal mass (heat stored in bricks from the sun) to reduce energy consumption.
- Ensuring natural light to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
- Using green building materials.
A local award winner
Cardiff University’s Hadyn Ellis Building won the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) award in 2012 for sustainability. The award was given due to the all-round approach to the environment and a controlled use of construction materials.
Cardiff University’s Hadyn Ellis building was designed by Architecture firm IBI Nightingale based in the Morgan Arcade.
The Specifi UK Roadshow focuses on battling climate change by making the built environment more green
Local architects and construction professionals in Cardiff will meet at a special event next week to learn about the latest developments in sustainable techniques for building.
The event is being run by Specifi UK on 6 November at City Hall and is aimed at professionals working in architecture, construction and facilities management.
Specifi is hosting a series of roadshows about green architecture and aims to get local building professionals all in the same room. Cardiff is the next stop on their UK tour.
The evening will include a talk by inspirational speaker and sustainability expert Martin Brown, an acknowledged author in the field, followed by a networking expo and a three-course dinner.
Andrew McCormick, 52, from Sheffield, the founder of Specifi said, “The time for non-radical solutions has gone.”
He added that the most carbon emissions are caused by the built environment, and that building green needs to become the normal way of doing things. So events such as this one are vitally important to make change in how buildings are designed.
Invited guest Martin has said the event will use the hashtag #BeTheNewNormal to make the public more aware of the need for changes in green building.
He added, “The topic of my talks is Imagine Better and focuses on regenerative sustainability. We no longer have the luxury of only being less bad, but we now need to be doing more good.”
Martin stated the building industry needs to do much more to become part of the solution and not the problem.
Christopher Tweed, head of the School of Architecture for Cardiff University and Chair in sustainable design, said that some already dismiss sustainability as a passing fad, but the problems are not going away any time soon.
Paul Brooke, Specifi CEO, said the simple act of like-minded individuals meeting up is so important in such a digital world.
He added, “This is our third year running this event in Cardiff and we always get a really great turnout of up to 100 professionals. It’s a great night with a really engaged, friendly, built-environment bunch.”
The evening will run from 4.30pm until 22.00pm and is free of charge.
Examples of sustainability in building
There are many ways to make a building more sustainable and minimise the negative environmental impact:
- Making heating efficient through correct insulation.
- Using the thermal mass (heat stored in bricks from the sun) to reduce energy consumption.
- Ensuring natural light to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
- Using green building materials.
A local award winner
Cardiff University’s Hadyn Ellis Building won the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) award in 2012 for sustainability. The award was given due to the all-round approach to the environment and a controlled use of construction materials.
Cardiff University’s Hadyn Ellis building was designed by Architecture firm IBI Nightingale based in the Morgan Arcade.