Soft Landings enables clients to check performance against design goals. Alex Smith looks at how it can be used beyond energy, and speaks to an engineer, contractor and architect who are embracing the initiative
Author: Alex Smith
Winning formula: Net zero carbon office for DPR Construction in San Francisco
DPR Construction was adamant that the refurbishment of its 50-year-old, industrial-style San Francisco office had to achieve net-positive energy status. Andy Pearson explains how Elementa Consulting’s simple all-electric design helped the firm achieve its goal
Using TM59 to assess overheating risk in homes
CIBSE’s new guidance to assess overheating risk in homes is timely, as UK summer temperatures soar. Liza Young finds out why TM59 is a must-read for designers
Keeping it green after Brexit
The Repeal Bill and negotiations over the UK’s exit from the EU raise questions about the country’s environmental measures, says Hywel Davies
What caused the Grenfell Tower disaster?
The Grenfell Tower fire should never have happened. Alex Smith looks at what must be learned to ensure residents are never put at risk again
How Skanksa’s ‘return to work’ scheme is helping close the skills gap
Getting back into employment after a career break can be an uphill struggle. Liza Young finds out how Skanska’s Return-to-Work scheme is encouraging diversity by recruiting from outside the construction industry
Power share – battery storage leads the charge of the microgrid
Battery storage capacity is set to soar as prices tumble and renewable fuel plays an increasingly important part of the energy mix. Andrew Brister examines developments in the technology and looks at innovative applications
Key issues: CIBSE Guide E Fire Safety Engineering (2017)
The latest version of CIBSE Guide E Fire Safety Engineering highlights key areas of responsibility for services engineers. MKA Fire MD and Guide E chair Martin Kealy reports
Tiers for fears: How to ensure data centres keep companies flying
The meltdown of British Airway’s IT systems, after a power-supply failure, demonstrates how critical data centres are to business operations. Andy Pearson looks at levels of resilience and explains why cloud computing is making firms more susceptible to power cuts
Emergency lighting standards
Revised emergency lighting standards now include sections on emergency safety and standby lighting. Atkins’ David Mooney highlights what this means for designers