Sustainable architecture
The following RIBA-approved CPD materials fall within the ‘Sustainable architecture’ RIBA core curriculum topic, which covers the legal and regulatory basis (including primary and secondary legislation) and principles of climate change mitigation and adaptation. It also covers low carbon and low energy design, over the lifecycle of a building, with effective client briefing and management.
Many seminars are now available online using Zoom, GoToMeeting, and Microsoft Teams etc. This is not always shown so, if a seminar is of interest to you, please click on the link and check.
Topics covered include the effect of carbon on climate change, the impact of the built environment on our global carbon footprint, the difference between embodied and operational carbon, and how to design with carbon in mind.
Interface Inc is a global commercial flooring company with an integrated collection of carpet tiles and resilient flooring, including luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and rubber flooring. Its modular system helps customers to create interior spaces while positively impacting the people who use them and our planet. Interface is on a mission to lower the carbon footprint of all spaces. Guided by material science, it’s added new thinking and innovative new materials to make backings with a much lower carbon footprint. First, it added new bio-based materials and more recycled content to its backings. Then, it measured how those materials influenced the carbon footprint. Those new materials, measured on a stand-alone basis, were net carbon negative – greatly reducing our carbon footprint. Interface invites the industry to join its mission, Climate Take Back – a commitment to operate in ways that are restorative to the planet and that create a climate fit for life.
Duration: 45 minutes, plus Q&A
Discover how harnessing the power of solar shading can address issues of glare, heat and visibility, while learning how high performance fabrics can also play a key role in maintaining energy efficient buildings that promote wellbeing and productivity. Includes practical information and advice on solar shading and sustainability, the functional, environmental and economic benefits of metallised fabrics, and what type of solar shading to specify to achieve best results.
Waverley is expert in improving the performance and aesthetics of spaces through shading, screening and acoustic solutions. Family-owned and managed, Waverley is committed to remaining independent and continuing to develop a strong, ethical business that genuinely cares about its clients, team and the environment. With its own UK manufacturing facilities, Waverley is able to consistently create high-quality products and – through its global supply chain – to deliver the right solutions for every challenge.
Duration: 45 minutes, plus Q&A
A consolidated view of the results of integrating green infrastructure for the environment, economy and society, backed by data and case studies. From the roofs to the walls and perimeters of buildings, this seminar looks at the opportunities for greening even the more complex scenarios. It discusses how greening systems can be designed for varying purposes such as biodiversity, biophilia or air quality, and explores how design influences whether one satisfies environmental regulations such as BNG or UGF. By the end of the session, architects and specifiers will have a far greater insight onto the principles underlying a long-lasting environmental asset.
ANS Global is one of the world’s leading living wall specialists, having completed over 1,800 projects in 29 countries. Combining horticultural and architectural expertise, ANS harneses the power of green infrastructure to improve urban biodiversity and ecology, enabling architects to achieve and meet strict environmental standards and regulations. Even where space is scarce there is potential. With 100% natural GI systems founded on organic soil and live plants, ANS solutions bring a range of benefits including air purification, sound absorption and increased biodiversity. ANS’ living walls are used as sustainable rainscreen cladding façades and interior design-statements that promote wellbeing, with the purpose to provide a biophilic solution to today’s environmental challenges.
Duration: one hour, plus Q&A
A seminar about circularity and the principles of the circular economy, including: what circularity means, how to measure it, how soft flooring products can contribute to it, how to distinguish circular products from the average, and how the transition towards a circular economy is likely to evolve.
Modulyss designs, manufactures and supplies high-quality carpet tiles for the international commercial market. Since its formation in 2010, Modulyss has combined creativity, functionality and sustainability in all of its products. The result is modular flooring that matches the distinctive character of a space. Modulyss makes carpet tiles for a sustainable future, and always aims to inspire. At Modulyss, squares can be circular too!
Duration: 50 minutes, plus Q&A
This module on timber cladding is the first of three videos covering the core objectives, concept design and technical design stages of the RIBA Plan of Work. It provides an introduction to the importance of specifying and detailing timber cladding correctly, and features relevant case study examples. Topics covered include: how to design using timber as an external cladding and some of the design effects that can be achieved; how to ensure the sustainability of timber cladding and the procurement of legal and sustainable timber; how to specify and detail cladding; how to issue fixing, coating and maintenance instructions to contractors (and advice to clients); and, relevant British Standards and Building Regulations.
Wood Campus is a free resource to all professionals and individuals looking for CPD and other timber-related learning resources.
Duration: 30 minutes, plus Q&A