Artificial intelligence was among the topics that grabbed the attention of delegates on day two of the Technical Symposium, with speakers stressing the importance of human oversight as the sector balances innovation with real-world climate challenges. Molly Tooher-Rudd and Alex Smith report
Author: mollytooherrudd
Air levels: passing the embodied carbon test
A review of a hybrid and active ventilation system in a secondary school aims to highlight the embodied carbon impacts of choosing one ventilation strategy over another. Mat Naccarato, of Savills Earth, describes the method and key learnings
Living proof: regenerative design approaches
Regenerative design takes inspiration from nature to heat, cool and purify buildings. Aecom’s Dave Cheshire explores real-world examples where natural systems are replacing conventional HVAC practices
Heat in transition: decarbonisation of heating
Experts laid out the case for accelerating the move from gas boilers to heat pumps at the CIBSE Decarbonisation of Heating and Cooling conference last month. Molly Tooher-Rudd reports
Easing the gridlock with DC power
Power-grid congestion threatens the clean energy transition, but a shift to DC microgrids in buildings could help bypass bottlenecks, reduce waste and usher in the next chapter of electrification – one that’s decentralised, resilient and fit for purpose. Jacobs’ Adam Selvey reports
Community impact: celebrating CIBSE volunteers
During Volunteers’ Week, CIBSE highlights the role played by its volunteers in advancing the Institution’s work. Leon Markwell shares how volunteering has helped him give back to the profession while learning, connecting, and supporting the next generation
Keeping the bar high: CIBSE’s new competency framework
Under the Building Safety Act, building services engineers must demonstrate competence when working on higher-risk buildings. Dr Anastasia Mylona explains how CIBSE has created a competency framework for members working in the sector
Boxing clever: sustainability at the Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate
Sustainability is often seen as a cost, but at Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate it’s become the key to a 220% rental uplift and a CIBSE award-winning retrofit. Andy Pearson reports
Chiller moves: predicting energy use
Traditional metrics are not always enough to accurately predict chiller energy use, say Cundall’s Peter Owens and Jakub Borowiec, who outline a practical modelling alternative that accounts for part-load scenarios and outdoor conditions
Indoor air quality and designing for dementia
As dementia rates rise and care demands grow, new research reveals how indoor air quality may be influencing aggressive behaviours in care settings. Newcastle University’s Professor Neveen Hamza shares insights from the study
