The study from researchers at Nanjing University in China provides an eloquent reminder of how natural variation in the weather has been an influence on architecture throughout history, often as much as changing styles and tastes. Florian Urban, Professor of Architectural History, Glasgow School of Art, reviews the results of the study in an article … Continue reading Recent Chinese study suggests that there may be clues to changes in past weather conditions in buildings
Category: architecture
“It’s impossible to solve our affordable housing crisis, our climate emergency, and people’s desire for improved quality of life against racism and disinvestment into separate silos.”
Adam Mahoney writes on the National Observer website (although article originally published on Grist) that the main problem driving the so-called “heat-island effect” is tall buildings. But there are solutions as the author explains. Tall buildings: A boon for housing, a bane for the climate crisis In the summer of 1995, Chicago experienced one … Continue reading “It’s impossible to solve our affordable housing crisis, our climate emergency, and people’s desire for improved quality of life against racism and disinvestment into separate silos.”
New book on thermal design of buildings
The way we heat, cool and ventilate our buildings is central to many of today’s concerns, including providing comfortable, healthy and productive environments, using energy and materials efficiently, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As we drive towards a zero-carbon society, design solutions that combine architecture, engineering and the needs of the individual are increasingly being … Continue reading New book on thermal design of buildings
Impact of climate change on our buildings
Ran Boydell, Visiting Lecturer in Sustainable Development at Heriot-Watt University discusses in an article on The Conversation website about the fragility of our existing buildings as we cope with significant climate changes. Most buildings were designed for an earlier climate – here’s what will happen as global warming accelerates Climate change will affect every aspect … Continue reading Impact of climate change on our buildings
How can historic buildings become more energy efficient while conserving their heritage values?
Renovating to improve energy efficiency of historic buildings while also preserving them for the future is not easy. Petra Eriksson in a collaboration between the University of Gothenburg and Uppsala University did her doctoral thesis presented a method taking a holistic approach to the assessment of both potential energy savings and management of the buildings' … Continue reading How can historic buildings become more energy efficient while conserving their heritage values?
Sustainability in the building industry gaining momentum in the US
Ben Ikenson writes on the Washington Post website discussing developments to ensure buildings in the US become more sustainable. Are you seeing the same developments in your country? 'Cool’ roofs, cooler designs as the building industry embraces energy sustainability The southwestern New Mexico town of Columbus, site of a 1916 raid by Pancho Villa, … Continue reading Sustainability in the building industry gaining momentum in the US
The International Passive House Institute has a new campaign to promote energy efficient buildings
Lloyd Alter writes on the Treehugger website about the new campaign by iPHA to promote energy-efficient buildings. What are your views? Efficiency: The First Renewable Energy The International Passive House Association (iPHA) launched a campaign—"Efficiency: The First Renewable Energy"—with the goal "to raise awareness for the vital role energy efficiency in buildings plays in … Continue reading The International Passive House Institute has a new campaign to promote energy efficient buildings
Understanding carbon-free construction
Buildings and construction generate nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. As urbanisation skyrockets, the sector needs to find ways to rapidly decarbonise through net-zero building as required under the EU Energy Performance In Buildings Directive and to meet our long-term climate and energy objectives. Stuart Braun provides a good account to understanding carbon-free construction in … Continue reading Understanding carbon-free construction
Retrofitting buildings starts with what you already have
A good article on the Propmodo website provides a good message about our climate goals and buildings. It says we cannot build our way to meet our sustainability goals. It goes on that there is a growing number of tools to help refurbish and renew existing buildings and cities are paying attention to this. What … Continue reading Retrofitting buildings starts with what you already have
Arguing for “intelligent rehabilitation” of existing buildings
Our homes and old towns will be uninhabitable by 2050, warn the architects Sébastien Clément and Emmanuel Mille, and the philosopher Thierry Paquot, who argue for an "intelligent rehabilitation" of existing buildings in an article on Le Monde website. For a heritage policy consistent with the climate emergency June 2020 was the warmest month … Continue reading Arguing for “intelligent rehabilitation” of existing buildings
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 