The sustainable specifier
The sustainable specifier pays more than lip service to the current climate emergency, and actively avoids mindsets preoccupied with checking tick boxes and matching (rather than exceeding) regulatory requirements.
As part of the RIBA’s 2030 Climate Challenge we present here a selection of specialists whose unstinting efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of their products – and of the construction industry as a whole – have often placed them at the leading edge of innovation.
Many seminars are now available online. This is not always shown here so, if a seminar is of interest to you, do click on the link and check.
Explores the benefits of liquid-applied, airtight membranes and how they can be used by main developers, house builders and contractors to achieve better airtightness. Also examines current solutions and technologies for achieving airtightness, together with a balanced overview of their pros and cons.
Intelligent Membranes is home to the next generation of liquid applied membranes for vapour control, airtightness, safety and protection.
Duration: 24 minutes, plus Q&A
An overview of energy efficient solutions that use suspended heated and chilled ceilings. Includes practical advice and guidance on: the functionality and benefits of heated and chilled ceilings and chilled beams; how to design-in high flexibility for future modification; the requirements for 2- and 4-pipe systems and where they should be used; how heated and chilled ceilings can be used in combination with other systems; and, the energy efficient operation of heated and chilled ceilings and how to reduce lifecycle costs.
More than 50 years ago Akustikbau Lindner GmbH was commisioned to deliver a suspended acoustic ceiling at the Agricultural Vocational School in Deggendorf. It was the company’s first contract and its earliest step towards becoming a global diversified company. Since then Lindner and its portfolio of products has only grown. Today, the Lindner Group name is synonymous with the building envelope, interior fit-out and insulation. It advises, develops, produces and implements products and projects for its customers – from single-trade jobs to turnkey solutions – covering both new building and renovations.
Duration: 45 minutes, plus Q&A
The 'as built' energy performance of a building is often significantly worse than its 'as designed' specification. Fabric first is a practical approach to improving buildings’ energy efficiency. This seminar describes it in more detail. Topics covered include: recognising the causes and impact of the performance gap; the benefits of continuous insulation and reducing the effects of thermal bridging; an introduction to approved construction details (accredited and enhanced); and, how to improve air-tightness.
Recticel Insulation manufactures quality, high performance rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam boards. It offers whole building solutions for new build, extension and refurbishment projects backed by a high level of technical service, including BBA Competency Scheme-assessed U-value calculations and RIBA-assessed CPD materials.
Recticel is expert at advising customers on how to reduce energy usage and improve thermal comfort in buildings.
Duration: 30-45 minutes, plus Q&A
A guide to the use of aluminium in construction and its beneficial use in glazing systems, including a look back at its evolution and forward to its development as a sustainable building material.
As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of innovative and sustainable architectural aluminium systems, Reynaers prides itself on delivering high-quality window, door and curtain walling systems for residential and commercial projects. Expertly engineered, each system is designed to meet the highest requirements when it comes to critical characteristics such as design, functionality, performance and aesthetics. Paired with this, Reynaers provides consultations to architects and building professionals at every stage, from conceptualisation and specification to fabrication and installation.
Duration: 45 minutes, plus Q&A
Covers water usage and compliance with UK regulations and standards, including advice on: legal and best practice guidelines and Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approval; the requirements of environmental assessment schemes, BREEAM and LEED; and, water usage trends, flushing test procedures and water saving flushes.
Geberit was founded over 125 years ago and has since grown to be a European leader in the field of sanitarware products, offering a range of pipework, drainage, ceramics and bathroom furniture solutions, in addition to installer training. Its technical department is able to provide a full design service, including bespoke quotations. Geberit’s advanced training academy features a two-storey hydraulic tower with viewing gallery, providing examples of good and bad plumbing practice.
Duration: 45 minutes, plus Q&A