The installation of a new heat network at Comberton Village College is set to significantly reduce the heating bill and save 248 tonnes of CO2. Andy Pearson speaks to Bouygues Energies & Services about how two 500kW ground source heat pumps replaced oil-fired boilers scattered across 16 plantrooms
Author: mollytooherrudd
Testing times
A report into product testing and certification raises interesting questions for manufacturers in relation to building safety. Hywel Davies considers how they will need to demonstrate their products conform to standards
Biodiversity: engineering nature’s blueprint
With developments soon having to create a 10% biodiversity net gain, Ashley Bateson, Chin Chen and Robert Winch discuss why nature-based solutions are vital in reducing climate risk
Pipe dream or reality: true value engineering
Value engineering at an early stage will ensure the focus is not just on costs, but also on a better design outcome. This was the conclusion of an expert panel discussion sponsored by Geberit. Amanda Birch reports
Connecting to country: the Boola Katitjin building in Western Australia
The Boola Katitjin building breaks boundaries with its radical timber design and innovative engineering. Andy Pearson finds out how the project team achieved a 6-Star Green Star rating by working with the bush environment
Protecting building occupants from wildfire smoke
With wildfires recognised as an ‘emergent risk’ in the UK, what can be done to HVAC systems to mitigate the impact on the health of people in buildings? Phil Lattimore looks at the worldwide effect of wildfire smoke
Leading the line: interview with CIBSE President Adrian Catchpole
To ensure engineers can meet net zero challenges while adhering to the building safety regime, CIBSE President Adrian Catchpole FCIBSE is launching bold initiatives to increase competency, tackle poor procurement and attract talent to the industry. Alex Smith reports
Fire and façades: key guidance
To ensure the fire safety of building façades, designers should pay special attention to firestopping. CWCT’s David Metcalfe highlights the latest guidance on this key area and rounds up the most recent information on designing fire-safe façades
Building connections
CIBSE ANZ Young Engineer of the Year Alex Shan explains the importance of communal spaces and why data is key to enhancing future buildings
Dousing fire fear in museums
Museum owners are wary of fire sprinklers in sensitive spaces, but Arup’s Jake Cherniayeff says they should be considered along with gaseous suppression and innovative hybrid mist and nitrogen systems