 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Get Sust! Issue 23
Like the newsletter? Then pass it on
When Get Sust started out three years ago this week, one of the main aims was to encourage tomorrow’s building professionals to embrace the aims of sustainable construction. We do this by circulating the newsletter to course leaders in universities and colleges who pass it on to their students, and by encouraging practitioners to read it and pass it on to their colleagues.
This is our third “birthday”, but we’re also pleased to announced that we now have just over 1000 “subscribers” - most of whom found out about Get Sust via word-of-mouth or through the website.
All this time the newsletter has been free to read, and we’d like to keep it that way, but we need your help to keep it going, and to make it even better. There are three ways to help:
- We want to reach more students, and more construction professionals. If each reader can encourage just TWO colleagues to “subscribe”, we’ll easily reach our target of 3,000 in time for Christmas
- We want to hear your news and views - tell us about your projects, techniques and strategies, or write a book review. Contact editor@get-sust.com
- Please make a small donation to help cover our costs - it’s easy using PayPal Donate; just click here.
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 |  |
Nottingham University’s School of the Built Environment
Nottingham University is home to one of the UK’s best known architectural schools, but it now has a worldwide reputation for post-graduate studies into all aspects of sustainable construction too. Dr Matthew Hall gave Get Sust! a whistle-stop tour of the School of the Built Environment (SBE); while Christine Ballard explains why she was tempted to swap her energy consultancy job for a three-year PhD project investigating energy-saving issues in offices.
Approaching the SBE across the carefully mown lawns on a sunny September afternoon, it was hard to imagine a more pleasant place to study. The SBE centres around the Victorian manor house, Lenton Firs, but most of the School is housed in a collection of unmistakeably 21st-century teaching and office buildings. The two central blocks - the Sustainable Research Building, and the Marmot Centre - are designed to provide first rate teaching and administrative facilities, but they double-up as laboratories too.
The Sustainable Research Building, for example, is a 1,300-m3, three-storey building that Matthew Hall describes as “a bit like a building made of Lego™”. The walls, roof and windows are all removable so that novel systems can be added, tested and removed with minimal disruption; and the roof space is designed to accommodate testing rigs for photovoltaics and micro-wind turbines. In addition, the building has been configured to accommodate a variety of heating, cooling and ventilation strategies. At the moment, the building features:
- self-cleaning windows (a titanium dioxide coating “dissolves” grease and grime)
- photovoltaic panels generating around 8,000kWh per year
- micro-CHP plant.
A stone’s-throw away is the David Wilson Eco-House, which features natural lighting and ventilation, photovoltaic roof tiles, rainwater recovery, a ground-source heat pump (for heating and cooling), solar thermal domestic hot water, a wind turbine and a solar chimney. And behind that, the university and its collaborators - Roger Bullivant Ltd, Stoneguard and Kingspan - are beginning work on five more eco houses. At least one of these will meet the government’s £60,000 (affordable housing) target; and each will produce at least 60 per cent less carbon emissions than the current average UK home. Like the existing eco home, researchers will live and work in these buildings, to really test-drive the techniques and technologies.
With such outstanding facilities it’s easy to see why the School receives national and international praise, but is that the only reason for the School’s success?
“I came here in 2005,” says Matthew Hall, “and for me one of the best things about the School is the wide range of disciplines and the close links we have with industry.”
His own career is a case in point. Matthew has a background in materials science, and after graduating he became involved in materials performance testing at Sheffield University’s Materials Research Institute. He worked on a project for English Heritage which investigated ways to restore and protect architectural terracotta, the intricately designed red-coloured ceramic on landmark buildings such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Natural History Museum, which most people assume is carved stonework.
Now at Nottingham, he is branching out into topics such as the indoor environment, comfort and sustainable buildings. He is also course director of the School’s new MSc in ‘Energy Conversion and Management’. However, he is still able to pursue his core interests in materials - he is currently investigating rammed earth construction; testing soils and finding ways to improve their performance (e.g. to minimise water absorption and maximise rate of evaporation).
“Straw bale and rammed earth technologies are not mainstream, but they are valid and valuable,” says Hall, who passes on his expertise through teaching a module on “sustainable materials and recycling” as part of the new MSc course.
“The module aims to give students an understanding of construction materials and knowledge that can be applied to management decisions in relation to sustainable building,” he explains. The course has close links with industry. The MSc is full time for 12 months or part-time for 24 months, and there are company sponsorships that cover tuition fees worth around £3,000, and sponsored students have a four-month in-company project placement during the summer.
Industry collaboration was a key factor when Christine Ballard decided to take a PhD at the School, which she started in January this year.
“I had worked for four years as a consultant for the National Energy Foundation,” explains Christine, “but I wanted to move into research because it’s such an exciting field. My PhD is an investigation into reducing energy usage in city offices, and I’m working with our industry partner Hurley Palmer Flatt.
“What’s great about the study is that there is so much that can be achieved, in terms of reducing emissions... Companies are now realising that reducing energy use is about more than just saving money; being energy efficient gives them prestige, happy staff and comfortable buildings. And because I’m working with our industry partner, I know that my results will be put into practice on real buildings, both new build and refurbishment.
“I wanted to study here at Nottingham because the School of the Built Environment has such a good reputation, and because everyone is so positive about what can be achieved. They are doing some great research into novel techniques, and they think about sustainability on a broader scale.”
Led by Professor Saffa Riffat, the School comprises: the Institute of Architecture; the Institute of Urban Planning; the Institute of Building Technology; and the Institute of Sustainable Energy Technology (ISET). The school has been ranked No. 1 in the UK for three consecutive years (2002-2004) under the ‘Building’ category by the Times Higher Education Supplement. It also has a Grade 4A research rating with 23 research active staff.
The school also works with companies through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). There are 14 live projects at Nottingham. To be eligible, projects must be at post-graduate level and require university-style expertise. All sorts of companies are eligible to be partner companies - from 5 employees and up. About 80% of projects receive DTI funding.
What else is on offer?
- Undergraduate courses include the three-year honours BArch; and the BA in Sustainable Built Environment. There is also a “super grad” undergraduate Masters course (MEng), which takes four years and is the only course of its kind to be RIBA and CIBSE accredited. This is a more popular option that traditional courses such as BEng, primarily because it strips away the traditional architecture/engineering divide.
- MSc renewable energy and architecture; aimed at students with engineering or science background. Part of this course covers management (e.g. economic appraisal of design options, politics and policies).
Learn more:
 |
• | |
|
• | Further information on the MSc ‘Energy conversion and management’ is available from Dr Matthew R Hall. |
|
• | KTPs: contact Prof S Riffat or Dr Shaun Smith, Industrial and Research Liaison Manager. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 | |
Stern stuff
The Stern Review hit the headlines on 30 October:
“...the evidence gathered by the Review leads to a simple conclusion: the benefits of strong and early action far outweigh the economic costs of not acting.”
But now the media dust has settled, it’s time to look at the detail and see where it might lead us. The report is available, in full or in sections at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews (choose “Stern Review”). The Treasury website also provides a range of background research documents. But other organisations took the opportunity to align themselves with its findings by publishing related documents. See, for example:
- “Planning policies for sustainable building - guidance for Local Development Frameworks” a new report published by the LGA and partner organisations, which contains suggestions and guidance to help all local authorities adopt planning policies that promote sustainable design and construction. Download from: www.lga.gov.uk/Publication.asp?lsection=0&ccat=28&id=SXC8E7-A783D652
- “Sustainable Development Opinion Papers - Climate change and cities”, by David Satterthwaite, published by International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). Download at www.iied.org/pubs.
Learn more:
|
• | The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change”, will be available in printed format from January at a charge of c. £29.99 + £3.50 postage and packing (ISBN: 0-521-70080-9). Copies can be ordered from Cambridge University Press via the website www.cambridge.org/9780521700801. |
|
• | The Stern Review team can be contacted by telephone (0207 270 6280) or by email: stern.review@hm-treasury.gov.uk. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 | |
Should cellars make a comeback?
One conclusion of a new report into ways to encourage the uptake of renewable energy technologies is that designers should think seriously about re-introducing the domestic cellar.
In last month’s Get Sust we commented on George Monbiot’s criticisms of domestic-scale wind power (see Get Sust no. 22: “Which way will the wind blow?”). So this month we’re pleased to point readers in the direction of a very useful and informative report that goes some way to countering Monbiot’s pessimistic comments.
“Unlocking the Power House: Policy and system change for domestic micro-generation in the UK”, by researchers from the Universities of Sussex, Southampton and Imperial College, is the conclusion of a two-year interdisciplinary research project into how best to encourage the uptake of renewable energy technologies.
The team focused on three technologies: solar photovoltaics (PV), micro-wind, and micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP), and confirmed what most practitioners already know - that the performance of these technologies is subject to wide variations (for example, micro-turbines suit areas with an excellent wind resource, but perform poorly in many urban areas).
The team concludes that, at present, the economics of investment in micro-generation technologies puts off many consumers, who are also discouraged by the perceived risks of new technology, regulatory barriers such as the need for planning permission, and a lack of information.
What can be done to encourage more widespread uptake? Well, the researchers come up with a number of interesting suggestions. For instance, they recommend that we focus attention on metering. Smart meters - which are installed alongside micro-generation technologies - measure real-time imports and exports and can be linked to display systems for consumer feedback, which is proven to lead to reductions in demand through behaviour change. The team recommends the government should kick-start the modernisation of the UK’s meter stock.
Another interesting proposal is to encourage designers to re-introduce the idea of the cellar. Such spaces, once popular for fuel storage, are rarely included in homes these days, but if cellars are provided - as they tend to be in mainland Europe - they are ideal sites for services, and heat and power plant. New buildings should also be future-proofed by ensuring that additional cabling and piping can be run through the service ducts without requiring further building modification.
Learn more:
|
• | “Unlocking the Power House: Policy and system change for domestic micro-generation in the UK” (ISBN 1-903721-02-4) by Jim Watson et al, is published by Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU), University of Sussex. Download the document from www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/documents/unlocking_the_power_house_ report.pdf, or e-mail: spruinfo@sussex.ac.uk. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 | |
Funding for recycling infrastructure
Around 30 million tonnes of construction waste goes to landfill each year. To encourage reduction of waste, WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) has launched a construction waste recycling infrastructure capital support programme, which aims to stimulate investment and significantly increase the collection, segregation, recovery and recycling of materials (in particular non-aggregate fractions) arising from commercial construction and demolition (C&D) sites in the UK.
Learn more:
|
• | The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Monday 27 November. |
|
• | Details are at www.wrap.org.uk. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 | |
DECoRuM goes on-line
Oxford Brookes University has launched a new dedicated website for DECoRuM, its GIS-based domestic energy, carbon-counting and carbon-reduction model. The website contains an interactive web-based demo version of DECoRuM, which evaluates energy consumption in, and CO2 emission reductions from, existing UK dwellings, and the cost of a range of measures to reduce both on an urban scale.
Learn more:
|
• | The demo is at www.decorum-model.org.uk. |
|
• | For more details, contact Dr Rajat Gupta, Director, DECoRuM Development Team. |
|
SBEM update released
An updated version of the energy calculation software SBEM v1.2.a has been released. The software enables designers to demonstrate compliance with Part L2A of the new Building Regulations for non-domestic buildings that came into effect in April this year. This new version responds to feedback from users and incorporates a number of improvements to the way calculations are made and data is entered.
Learn more:
|
• | SBEM v1.2.a can be downloaded free from www.ncm.bre.co.uk. |
|
• | The development team welcome comments and questions via the ncm website and the telephone helpline (0870 460 8141). |
|
Energy performance of existing dwellings
Researchers based in the Netherlands and Greece have published a new methodology for assessing the energy performance of existing dwellings. Their technique, known as EPA-ED, was developed as part of a European project that focuses on energy-related issues for existing residential buildings, in line with the European Performance of Buildings Directive.
The method and its associated software can be used to perform building energy audits and demand and savings calculations, and to provide owners with advice for measures to improve energy performance. Describing this method in the latest issue of the journal Energy and Buildings, the team also report on the development of a “sister-method” (EPA-NR) for non-domestic (non-residential buildings).
Learn more:
|
• | “Energy performance assessment of existing dwellings” by Bart Poel et al, Energy and Buildings, In press; available online 7 November 2006 at www.sciencedirect.com (Science Direct subscribers). |
|
Green products from top to bottom
Manufacturers of floor coverings are working hard to improve the environmental performance - and perception - of their products.
InterfaceFLOR for example, offers climate-neutral products to customers through its Cool Carpet® programme in partnership with Climate Care (a carbon offsetting organisation); its ReEntry initiative provides work in the UK for individuals with learning disabilities; and it sees old tiles returned to be repurposed, cleaned and re-used.
Interface Europe Ltd is one of four flooring companies that have recently had their environmental credentials scrutinised and are now listed in BRE Certification’s Environmental Profiles. (The other companies are Burmatex Ltd, Freudenberg Building Systems Ltd, and Tarkett-Marley Floors Ltd.)
Meanwhile Nu-lok Roofing Systems is promoting its fully integrated solar-powered roof. The system neatly combines the company’s proprietory roofing system, which was developed in Australia, with easy-to-install photovoltaic panels. The roofing system uses a lightweight galvanised steel grid system instead of traditional wooden battens, and tiles are locked in place between the battens using a high-grade steel clip.
Last year, the solar roof system was installed to 10 housing association units in Rosneath, Scotland. Each system consisted of 5m2 of solar tiles heating a Megaflow hot water cylinder in the dwelling. Nu-lok says a typical 3kWp system would cost approx £13.500 fully installed, and it would attract grant aid via the Low Carbon Building Programme managed by the Energy Saving Trust.
Learn more:
|
• | Interface Europe Ltd www.interfaceflor.eu. |
|
• | Nu-lok www.nu-lok.com/uk/nulok_solar_roof.htm. |
|
• | BRE Certification’s Environmental Profiles: visit www.redbooklive.com. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 | |
Take care with blinds
Double-skin façades are popular for office buildings because of their aesthetic qualities, and their protection from noise, wind and cold weather. But these advantages have to be weighed against the problem of excessive passive solar gains and internal heat gains from lighting, people and office equipment which, in many cases, are dealt with by energy-hungry air-conditioning.
Researchers in Belgium have been studying ways of reducing the need for air-conditioning by judicious use of blinds placed within the double-skin cavity. Simulations have demonstrated that blinds are one of the most efficient natural cooling strategies. However, the position of the blind within the air cavity affects the rate of heat transfer to the interior and the amount of thermal stress on the glazing layers. Placing blinds too close to the interior façade results in inadequate air flow around the blind, and increases conductive and radiative heat transfer to the interior.
The team worked on a computer model of a well-insulated office, and used the TAS thermal analysis software tool to test blinds of various colours at different positions within the façade. They found that cooling consumption could be cut by almost a quarter, if careful attention is paid to the location and colour of the blinds, coupled with opening the double-skin.
Significantly, they showed that the influence of the position of the blinds is even larger than that due to the opening of the double-skin.
Learn more:
|
• | See the full results of the simulations in “The most efficient position of shading devices in a double-skin facade”, by E. Gratia, A. De, Energy and Buildings, In press (2006), doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2006.09.001; available online at www.sciencedirect.com (Science Direct subscribers). |
|
Lessons from the not-too-distant past
Eric Lyons and Span, by Barbara Simms (ed)
Last week British Gas reported that Tudor houses are more energy efficient than modern homes (See ‘Tudor houses 'leak less energy'’). I doubt this will spark a trend for wattle-and-daub (though half-timbered mock Tudor remains popular in the suburbs). What the report didn’t mention is that the Tudor homes we see today are probably the “best practice” of their day - all the other damp hovels were demolished centuries ago. However, this does neatly illustrate that there is always something we can learn from the past - even from the much-maligned mass housing developments of post-War Britain.
The RIBA is currently running a major retrospective of the work of its former President, Eric Lyons and his company, Span, which created a series of sustainable communities across the South East of England that remain popular today.
RIBA has published a book to accompany the exhibition, and it’s a fascinating read. This highly illustrated book includes chapters on Lyons’s life, career and personal philosophy, which is surprisingly reminiscent of William Morris, one hundred years earlier. But most significant, from the sustainable construction perspective, are the chapters that describe his approach to creating communities.
Span developments during the 1950s, for instance, had houses with traditional front and rear gardens, but Lyons later developed the idea of removing the front gardens to help foster a closer community. His schemes were carefully landscaped so that the shared spaces were user-friendly; and the homes became exceedingly popular with families who were happy to let their young children play outside, where they were visible to the community, and safe from cars. Corner Green, for example, in London’s Blackheath, became the model for subsequent developments.
But Span was a housing business like any other - concerned with profit as well as social issues. Developments used a number of standard house types, that were designed so that they enabled some flexibility with regard to the orientation, or with a number of types arranged so that they could all face the central communal space.
The company experimented with off-site production; they also had ambitions to create larger-scale communities (primarily at New Ash Green, Kent) and it is interesting, if a little disheartening, to learn that Lyons faced similar difficulties to those of today.
Unlike the handful of Tudor homes highlighted by British Gas, most Span homes do not achieve today’s energy efficiency standards but, as the original research presented in this book by Madeleine Adams and Charlie MacKeith shows, they meet - and frequently exceed - the ‘Building for Life’ criteria set out by CABE and the House Builders Federation that reflect current sustainable communities policy guidance (PPS 1).
Learn more:
|
• | “Eric Lyons & Span”, by Barbara Simms (ed) is published by RIBA Enterprises (ISBN-13 978 1 85946 125 0); price £25; order copies from www.ribabookshops.com. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2006 | |
Shelf life - Get Sust readers recommend...
It’s always fascinating to see what other people keep on their bookshelves. Get Sust asked readers to nominate their “essential reads”, and with Christmas looming, why not add these to your Amazon “wish list”?
Dr Adrian Pitts, Senior Lecturer - Energy, Environment and Sustainability, at Sheffield University’s School of Architecture keeps two essential texts close to hand:
- ‘Architecture in a Climate of Change - a guide to sustainable design’ by Peter F Smith (Architectural Press, 2005, ISBN-10: 0-7506-6544-0)
- ‘Energy and Environmental Issues for the Practising Architect’ by Ian Ward (Thomas Telford, 2004, ISBN 0727732161)
He also nominates two titles that are a source of inspiration:
- ‘Thermal Delight in Architecture’ by Lisa Heschong (MIT Press, 1979, ISBN 0-262-58039). “A slim volume and sometimes hard to find, but a gentle and thoughtful book which, though a few years old, nevertheless makes one think about current concerns.”
- ‘The Green Imperative - ecology and ethics in design and architecture’ by Victor Papanek (Thames and Hudson, 1995, ISBN 0-500-27846-6). “I'm sure a text used by many - wide ranging and passionate.”
“My study is flowing over with books of all types and ages,” writes Professor Susan Roaf (author of the popular ‘Ecohouse 2’). “My favourite book, which every university library should have, is Paul Oliver's ‘Encyclopaedia of Vernacular Architecture’ in 3 volumes (ISBN: 0631170219). The architecture of the 21st century will have to be what I call ‘turbo-vernacular’ - the best of the old locally appropriate buildings with the best of the new renewable technologies and materials, and Oliver's books are where you find out what regionally appropriate buildings are like. But the truth is that I am now a Google-aholic and because I am so concerned with the issue of Peak Oil my favourite browsing-type-gossip site is www.odac-info.org... enjoy!”
Richard Nicholls, Pathway Leader, MSc Sustainable Architecture at the University of Huddersfield writes:
“I recommend as essential ‘The green building bible’, volume 1, edited by Keith Hall, [Green Building Press, ISBN 1-898130-03-0 www.greenbuildingbible.co.uk/3rd_edition/both_bookoffer.php]. It’s a good introduction to a wide range of sustainability issues. It’s also very practical as it carries advertisements for products and services related to the text as well as a directory of contact details and web sites.
“For inspiration, I recommend ‘Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth’ by James Lovelock [Oxford Paperbacks; ISBN 0192862189]. Although it’s not about sustainable construction, it is an interesting way of looking at what we are trying to protect by adopting sustainable principles.”
And last but by no means least, Mark Gorgolewski, Associate Professor at the Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University, Toronto recommends the following:
- Essential reading: ‘Cradle to Cradle’ by W McDonough, and M Braungart [North Point Press, 2002]; ‘The HOK guidebook to sustainable design’, S Mendler and W Odell [New York, John Willey and Son, 2000]; ‘Sun, wind, and light : architectural design strategies’ GZ Brown and M Dekay [New York, Wiley, 2001]; and ‘A short history of progress’ by Ronald Wright [House of Anansi Press, 2004].
- Inspiring: ‘How buildings learn: what happens after they're built”, Stewart Brand [Viking, 1994]; ‘In praise of shadows’, Junichiro Tanizaki [Random House, 1977]; ‘Refabricating architecture’ Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake [McGraw Hill, US, 2004]; and ‘Architecture without architects’ Bernard Rudofsky [Academy Editions, 1964].
Learn more:
|
• | Thanks to everyone who contributed to this item. |
Heating guidance
New in the CIBSE Knowledge Series, “How to design a heating system” aims to help anyone involved in design, installation and commissioning to appreciate the key decisions involved in heating system design
It includes a step-by-step overview of the whole heating design process, with flowcharts illustrating the steps involved. It also outlines the key design procedures for each step, provides guidance on data requirements and sources, and highlights potential issues and problem points.
Learn more:
|
• | * “How to design a heating system” (ISBN: 1903287790) costs £15.00 (CIBSE members) and £30.00 for non-members. Order copies from <www.cibse.org> |
|
CHPA national conference 2006
The Combined Heat and Power Association’s annual conference will take place in London on 16 November. Confirmed speakers include: Sir David King, the government's Chief Scientific Advisor; Luc Werring, Head of Unit, Regulatory Policy & Promotion of New Energies and of Demand Management, DG TREN, European Commission; and Elliot Morley MP, former Environment Minister.
|
• | The conference is at One Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1, and details are at www.chpa.co.uk/events.htm. |
|
• | Contact Laura Pennington. Tel: 0207 828 4077. |
|
Environmental technology - call for papers
The organisers of two satellite events at 2007’s Sustainabilitylive! have issued a “call for papers”. Industry experts, research organisations, industry/trade and lobbying bodies, technology and service providers, policy makers and government representatives are invited to prepare presentations for “Environmental Technologies” and “Environmental Services”.
|
• | The deadline for submissions is 17 November 2006; the event runs at the NEC Birmingham from 1-3 May 2007. |
|
• | For details of how to submit your proposal, click here: www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=12242 then click on “17th November” to download the details. |
|
RIBA research symposium
The 2006 RIBA Research Symposium “Making the difference: Design Practice as Research”, will take place on Friday 24 November at the RIBA in London.
Academics and practitioners from the University of Westminster, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, CABE, Future Healthcare Network, University of East London, and leading architectural practices will report on ‘practice as research’ through personal reflection, collective action, and by contributing or responding to social policy.
During the symposium, RIBA Vice President for Education, Simon Allford, will present the first annual RIBA President’s Research Awards for outstanding PhD research and academic based research.
|
• | Ticket prices including VAT and lunch: RIBA members £65; non-members £85; students £25. |
|
• | To book a place, contact Judy Purves. Tel: 0207 307 3760. |
|
ASHRAE conference
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) will hold its annual conference in Dallas, Texas from 27-31 January 2007.
|
• | Details are at www.ashrae.org/events. |
|
Designing with steel - Corus student awards
Corus is inviting students to register their intent to enter its nineteenth Architectural Student Awards. This year’s competition - ‘H2Ouse - Living on the water’ - challenges students to build on flood plains without investing massively in flood protection.
Final submissions could be a permanent dwelling or a flexible demountable temporary shelter that provides disaster relief for a location anywhere in the world. But regardless of the form, the community should have zero impact on the environment and, despite the ever-present threat of flood, water conservation should also be a primary concern.
Launching the competition, Matthew Teague of Corus said: “Steel is an inherently flexible, strong and long-lasting material... [it] is 100 per cent recyclable, and can be re-used many times without any loss of quality. In that sense it is a supremely sustainable material.”
|
• | The total prize fund is £5000. The deadline for expressions of interest is 23 February 2007, with final entries due no later than 4.30pm on Friday 18 May 2007.
|
|
• | Download an entry form from www.corusconstruction.com/en/news_and_events/awards. |
|
Flooring design competition
Dalsouple Natural Rubber Flooring has launched a new competition for design students call “Transform the future”.
Setting out to prove that “sustainable design doesn’t have to be boring”, the competition teams up design students from relevant disciplines with a group of pupils and their teachers to identify a specific interior project in the school and develop a realistic design solution incorporate Dalsouple’s DalNatural rubber flooring material. (DalNaturel contains over 90% natural ingredients, is easy to recycle, and has low toxicity compared with pvc-based flooring.)
The judges include Kevin McCloud, presenter of TV’s Grand Designs, and Jim Hamilton of award-winning design agency Graven Images.
The winning project will receive:
- For the project - Up to 50m2 free Dalsouple Natural Rubber Flooring as specified in the design, plus 1000 Euros towards the other costs of installation
- For the Design Student(s): One personal prize of 1000 Euros
- For the Design Student’s College: A prize of 1000 Euros to spend on relevant materials or projects.
|
• | Full details and entry forms are available to download from www.dalsouple.com, or you can request them by e-mail from julie@dalsouple.com (tel: 01278 727777). |
|
Lecturer, University of Sydney, Australia
The University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture has a vacancy for a Lecturer - Urban Planning (Environmental Planning).
|
• | For details visit http://positions.usyd.edu.au and search for ref: A43/88381. Or contact Kevin Mitchell. E-mail: k.mitchell@usyd.edu.au. Closing: 28 November 2006. |
|
Graduate/Junior Mechanical Design Engineer, Surrey
Join a multi-disciplinary design team to help develop mechanical design solutions for the construction of major MoD base in Berkshire. Candidates will ideally be qualified to degree level in a relevant subject such as building services, mechanical or energy engineering. Experience of using Heavcomp or Amtech would be ideal, as would any experience gained working for a design consultancy. Salary: £22,000 to £28,000, plus benefits.
|
• | Contact Hays Building Services. Reference: 323610. See www.hays.com/ (Please mention Get Sust.) |
|
Intermediate Mechanical Design Engineer
SJoin a successful team of building services and environmental engineers in East London, and you will get the benefit of fantastic training and progression prospects.
|
• | For your chance to work with the world’s leading architects while earning an industry-leading salary please contact Nikke Allan on 0208 478 0967 at Hays in Ilford. Reference 717691. See www.hays.com (Please mention Get Sust.) |
|
Energy Project Manager, Portsmouth
This is a key role with a national M&E contractor developing a new business area focusing on energy and sustainability. Technical knowledge is key, as well as experience in instigating new business plans. Salary: c. £40,000
|
• | Contact Hays Building Services. Ref: 3141742. See www.hays.com (Please mention Get Sust.) |
|
Intermediate Electrical Design Engineer, Winchester
Established for 25 years, this multi-disciplinary consultancy is strengthening its building services team as growth has been consistent and beyond targets. Salary: to £28,000.
|
• | Contact Hays Building Services. Ref: 3106911. See www.hays.com(Please mention Get Sust.) |
|
Mechanical Design Engineer, south-west London
Our client, an award-winning building services consultancy, wishes to employ a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer. The role involves managing work from establishing the clients brief, through developing conceptual mechanical design solutions, producing specs and undertaking the management of projects to completion. Candidates need experience within an HVAC/Mechanical Design Engineer role for a building services consultancy. Ability to develop detailed design solutions is key, as is experience of using Heavcomp and AutoCAD. CIBSE membership beneficial. Salary: £30,000 to £40,000 plus benefits.
|
• | Contact Hays Building Services. Reference: 328014. See www.hays.com (Please mention Get Sust.) |
|
