A new database tool is helping designers assess the environmental impact of their specifications. Andrew Cooper looks at how Hammerson is trialling the tool to assess the CO2 impact of a retail park in Didcot
Category: General
Hall of fame – Harrods’ escalator hall refurbishment
Harrods’ entrance hall has been refurbished in time for the new-year sales. Liza Young finds out how modern services fit with the store’s heritage
Food for thought – power by cooking oil
Used cooking oil from London restaurants is powering two PwC office buildings. It is a pioneering approach to sustainability, but threw up challenges that required innovative thinking and strict maintenance. ChapmanBDSP’s Darren Coppins explains
Changing times – trends for 2017
Industry experts predict the trends that will dominate building services in 2017
Clear for take-off – air traffic control in productivity research project
A new real-time study is seeking to find evidence that links productivity to indoor environmental quality. Tom Cudmore, of LCMB, explains how the Whole Life Performance Plus project aims to close the knowledge gap
Staying power – demand-system response
In an emerging electricity market, bidders can offer various services to the grid to help balance the network, says Hoare Lea’s Nick Cullen
Desk research – Arup’s desk of the future
Low-cost web technology could give workers full control over their office environment, according to research being carried out by Arup. Andy Pearson takes a seat at the desk of the future
Life support – providing heat and power in Antarctica
The facilities team at the British Antarctic Survey are responsible for maintaining heat and power in some of the most isolated buildings on Earth. Alex Smith finds out how remote monitoring and controls are ensuring the welfare of staff and scientists living near the South Pole
Tidings of comfort and joy – cost efficient church heating
Churches may be full to bursting at Christmas, but smaller congregations at other times make planning a heating strategy difficult. In response, James Sheehan, heating adviser for the Diocese of Peterborough, has produced a cost guide that aims to minimise ecclesiastical heating bills
A healthy light style – the biological impact of light
The Well Building Standard considers the biological impact of light – and this ‘melanopic’ approach will have implications for lighting workplaces, says Andrew Bissell