Two forthcoming webinars might be of interest to some of you. Like all seminars involving multiple speakers, you get the odd droner, but if you can stay awake through him/her there is usually something worth hearing to save the day.

It's an interesting concept and only costs a bit of time. It's worth signing up for their regular presentations.

http://www.ciob.org.uk/news/cic-start-online

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Date: 14th April 2011
Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (BST, GMT+1)

Summary:

This project was undertaken by the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit (MEARU) in collaboration with the partner SME John Gilbert Architects Ltd (JGA).

The aim of the feasibility study was to explore the potential for the development of a cost effective Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) methodology (with a particular sustainability focus) that can be used to gather both quantitative and qualitative information regarding energy and environmental performance of housing. This would provide useful data for the designers, clients and users, leading to improved performance of the existing houses and future designs.

JGA assisted in the selection of sample house types from 4 Housing Associations and liaised with participating housing providers. MEARU undertook data acquisition via resident survey questionnaires and durational monitoring of 8 selected house types. JGA and MEARU have reviewed the process to identify key areas for inclusion and most cost effective outcomes for a POE methodology which could be widely used. MEARU has also developed a sample on-line POE tool and template documentation which could be applied to future POE exercises carried out by using Associations on their new build housing stock.

Speakers:

Dr Tim Sharpe, MEARU, Mackintosh School of Architecture, The Glasgow School of Art
Matt Bridgestock, MEARU, Mackintosh School of Architecture, The Glasgow School of Art
John Gilbert, John Gilbert Architects

Dusting off the headset now, actually its on the desk as I 'was at' today's.

Not Scottish so don't think they will give me any for that important research in the Caribbean.

Should be an interesting one for me anyway.

Can't find the recording of the last one, but a list of past ones here which might be of interest to someone...

http://www.cicstart.org/content/webcasts/213/

Another one this Friday...

"Assessment of Zero Carbon Building in Scotland"

Date: 27th May 2011
Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (BST, GMT+1)

Summary:

The feasibility study involved investigation of recently published guidelines into the definition of ‘Zero carbon’ by the government and a comparison with ‘true’ zero carbon buildings.

Heriot-Watt University carried out a study of Zero Carbon literature which is presented within the main body of the accompanying ‘Full Report’.

The study uses the proposed Riccarton Ecovillage on the campus at Heriot-Watt University to provide the sample building used for the detailed analysis and assessment parts of the study. Heriot-Watt University and IES worked together using IES’s Virtual Environment software to perform predictions of carbon emissions.

The detailed calculations consider a range of currently available building technologies, and systems that could be used either in isolation, or in conjunction with one another. The analyses are intended to demonstrate the differences between current building standards and the improvements that will be needed in future both to meet the published regulatory guidelines and also to provide a comparison with true zero carbon using representative domestic Scottish buildings as the basis for the analysis.

The study aims to show what renewable technologies need to be employed in order to meet Zero Carbon – using both dynamic simulation methods and Building Regulations SAP software meeting the Scottish Technical Standards Section 6 requirements.

Speakers:

Prof. Sue Roaf, Heriot Watt University
Dr David McEwan, IES Ltd

What is the recipe today Joiner?

And now understand why some on here don't attend. It needs Flash Player!

Good as I had to go out

That webinar is now moved to November 10th...

http://www.cicstart.org/events/events/212,478/Synergy-of-Fabric-and-Energy-Conservation-in-Older-Historic-Properties.html

Bugger, for got to ask for an invite, shall see if I can do it now

It was all a bit offhand!

And was that younger guy going for the record in how many times in five seconds you could say "Errr".

Given that the whole exercise was a MODELLED academic study (used loosely) why discount all the options and not even mention them in passing?

Not a good example of the kind of stuff they usually put out.

I did wonder why they'd bothered.

I was gobsmacked when he said that triple-glazing "hadn't modelled well". Erm. Sorry? Their answer to my question indicated that I'd taken them by surprise. Hello? Then to say that my suggestion of low-e + gas-filling (I thought I'd keep it simple) was a matter of cost. What cost? In terms of the overall energy performance vs cost those two additions to the planned d/g were marginal. They didn't seem in the least disappointed with a 2.8 u-value for the double-glazing, especially as there were no (apparent) plans to d/g the front elevation and its 5.7 u-value single-glazing! Although they would consider secondary glazing there.

Upcoming in January...

http://www.cicstart.org/

It comes, it goes, it gets rescheduled. Heriot-Watt was in the Sunday Paper.