CIBSE’s overheating session at Futurebuild detailed the risks to care homes and apartments of a warming planet. Alex Smith hears from modellers and academics about the extent of the threat posed to buildings and the measures that could be taken to increase the climate resilience of future designs
Category: Technical
Twin cities: harnessing gaming technology for immersive digital twins
Buro Happold has collaborated with video games developer Epic Games to add another dimension to its digital twins. Andy Pearson speaks to Buro Happold’s Miraj Patel about the latest developments in digital engineering and the potential of the Unreal Engine
Cooling’s race against time: exploring next-generation cooling solutions
In response to anticipated rapid growth in demand for air conditioning by 2050, the International Energy Agency has released a report on the latest technology developments in the AC and heat pump sector, as the executive summary explains
High hopes: overcoming challenges with high-temperature heat pump integration
Retrofitting with high-temperature heat pumps can pose significant challenges if buildings are not properly investigated first. Baxi’s Ryan Kirkwood navigates the highs and low of swapping boilers for heat pumps in hard-to-heat buildings
Zoning in: the new Heat Network Zoning consultation
The government is aiming for 11% of heat in the UK to be supplied by heat networks within newly designated heat zones. Alex Smith looks at the routes to connection in the new Heat Network Zoning consultation
Cold storage: phase change material heat exchangers for space cooling
Research on the application of phase change material heat exchangers for space cooling during summer found that significant cold energy could be stored or released. LSBU’s Professor Yunting Ge discusses the findings
Air to the throne: Product or Innovation of the Year – Air Quality shortlist
Ahead of this month’s CIBSE Building Performance Awards, we look at the six shortlisted entries for the Product or Innovation of the Year – Air Quality award
Bradford’s cultural connection: a model for low-carbon district heating
The first phase of Bradford’s new heat network will be able to deliver up to 60GWh of low carbon heat when it comes online in 2026. Andy Pearson speaks to engineer FairHeat and 1Energy, the company behind the project, which plans to invest in 10 similar schemes in British cities
Setting the scene: Manchester’s new arts venue Aviva Studios
Manchester’s new arts venue, Aviva Studios, features two huge events spaces that can host anything from poetry readings to mega-raves. BDP had the challenge of devising a flexible lighting and services strategy that could adapt to any artistic situation, as the consultant’s Steve Merridew and Nick Meddows explain
Network provider: Gareth Jones on the heat network revolution
The Energy Act 2023 paves the way for the mass rollout of heat networks in the UK, and the mandatory connection of many buildings. Alex Smith speaks to FairHeat’s Gareth Jones about government plans to regulate new networks and raise the standard of the 14,000 already in place