Making the grade: specifying ventilation systems

Filter selection can have a large impact on a building’s energy use and indoor air quality, so it’s essential that designers use the latest guidance when specifying ventilation systems, says ARM Environments’ Adam Taylor

Making sure homes are really decent: updates to the DHS

Proposed reforms to the Decent Homes Standard are broadly welcome, but CIBSE believes more attention must be paid to ventilation and air quality, electrical standards and overheating, says Julie Godefroy

Engineering for extremes: designing low-energy buildings

A college project in Niger, featuring local stone and passive ventilation, aims to change the perception of low-energy buildings in extreme climates. Molly Tooher-Rudd speaks to the project team Max Fordham and Article 25

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

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

Travelling in comfort? How rail can learn from buildings

Good ventilation in trains is essential for passenger comfort, but how does it compare with air quality practice in the built environment. Ben Warren, of the Rail Safety and Standards Board, shares insights from a recent study

A class apart – students design school for Africa

Students at King Ecgbert School in Sheffield have won a challenge to design a community school in Uganda, by focusing on the needs of the local children. Andy Pearson explains how the industry-backed Class of Your Own initiative ignited a passion for building design and engineering among 13- and 14-year-olds

Chemical equilibrium – carbon neutral laboratory

The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham aims to be carbon neutral over its 25-year lifetime. Rebuilt after a fire gutted the site a year into construction, Andrew Brister reveals the energy strategy behind the £15.8m building