The UK’s first Passivhaus swimming pool, currently being developed by Exeter City Council, seeks to halve energy use and create a chemical-free, healthy environment. Andy Pearson speaks to project team members about the innovative design that aims to set new Passivhaus standards for pools
Author: Alex Smith
Interview: Piers Heath – integrated design at Foster + Partners
Global architect Foster+Partners now has fully integrated environmental engineering in its design studios to optimise building performance. Piers Heath tells Alex Smith how scientific first principles are embedded in designs and shares plans to incorporate soft landings in every project
The Passivhaus that Max Fordham built
Max Fordham’s Passivhaus house features automated insulated shutters, developed to reduce night-time heat losses and to achieve an energy balance between gains and losses on a cold winter’s night. Liza Young reports
Quality as standard: Passivhaus consultant’s winning ways
CIBSE award-winning low energy design consultancy Warm has its roots in Passivhaus, and even put into practice its low-energy expertise by refurbishing its offices to the EnerPHit standard. Andy Pearson reports
Battery technology in UPS systems – VRLA v Li-ion
Although lead-acid batteries are long-established, with a majority market share, lithium-ion is starting to pick up pace. Alex Emms, of Kohler Uninterruptible Power, compares the two technologies
CIBSE seminar: Tackling overheating
Changes to Building Regulations offer a chance to reduce overheating risks, according to speakers at a CIBSE seminar last month
How digital can streamline concept design
To streamline the concept design stage for building services, four teams took part in a challenge to automate common project workflows. CIBSE’s digital engineering lead Carl Collins explains
Book review: Housing Fit for Purpose by Fionn Stevenson
Housing would be vastly improved if more was done to feed back lessons learned from building performance, says Fionn Stevenson, in a new book based on years of her own pioneering research. Julie Godefroy finds lots of practical advice for raising standards
Nearer to zero
With most of the 2050 building stock already in place, Hywel Davies considers what the net-zero carbon UK emissions target might mean in practice
Case study: Cambridge Central Mosque
Cambridge’s elegant new mosque has comfort and sustainability at its heart thanks to the involvement of the environmental engineer at the project’s inception. Andy Pearson looks at how Skelly & Couch’s creative design worked with the grand scale of the prayer hall to provide natural ventilation and daylighting for more than 1,000 worshippers