cultivate.ie

Green Building Course 09

Thursday evenings | 7 May - 11 June 09 | 7-9pm | €180 | 10% discount for ÉASCA and Cultivate Members | Cultivate Centre | Essex St West | Temple Bar | Bookings 01 674 5773 | Fully booked

This six week course for architects, engineers, builders and developers explores the key principles of creating energy efficient and sustainable buildings.  These include methods of building, choice of materials, renewable energy options and renovations.  Participants will learn about factors that increase energy efficiency, requirements of Part L of the building regulations and options available to build an A rated home.

Speakers include: Duncan Stewart, EASCA, Brian O'Brien - Solearth Architecture,  Niall Crossan - Ecological Building Systems, Mike Haslam - Solearth Architecture, Joseph Little - Joseph Little Architects and  Patrick Duffy - NICER Training 

1) Principles of Sustainable Design – 07/05/09

This introductory lecture looks that the principles that are used when designing sustainable buildings.  The intention is to eliminate negative environmental impact completely through skillful, sensitive design. Sustainable design is not the attachment of architectural design, but an integrated design process. This requires close cooperation of the design team, the architects, the engineers and the client at all project stages, from the site selection, scheme formation, material selection and procurement and project implementation. 

  2) Environmental and Healthy Renovations – 14/05/09

With the decline in number of new houses being built in Ireland one of the key areas for growth in the industry will be in improving the energy efficiency of existing housing stock.  Many home owners plan to solve space issues with an extension however concentrating first on renovation can solve issues of energy efficiency and also open up space. This session will look at case studies and the lessons learnt in practice by the speaker.

3) Natural materials, design and systems – 21/05/09

As well as minimising the energy consumption, there are other factors to creating sustainable buildings including enhancing indoor air quality, protecting and conserving water and using sustainable materials.  This session explores the benefits of using natural breathable materials, paints and varnishes, including designed passive ventilation and passive solar heat gains, installing grey water and rain water harvesting systems and the advantages of green roofs.

4) Airtightness, Insulation & Ventilation – 28/05/09

A key parameter for achieving an efficient Building Energy Rating (BER) is that the building envelope is designed and insulated to a high level and the fabric airtightness is to a high standard. This session will explore how airtightness and insulation, with controlled ventilation, are crucial to building an A rated or Passive building.

5) Timber Frame Buildings – 04/06/09

Choosing the right material is an important factor in the sustainability of buildings. This session will explore the benefits of timber frame building, the world’s most popular building technique.  These benefits include energy efficiency and conservation, speed of construction, durability, structural design, acoustic benefits and accuracy. 

6) Heat, Power & Renewable Energy – 11/06/09

Most buildings use energy to heat space and water and for appliances.  This session explores the range of energy efficient systems that can be used for these purposes and systems which harness renewable energy. These include: For energy efficiency - under floor heating, condensing boilers, heat pumps (ground source, air and water) and mechanical heat recovery ventilation.  For generating renewable energy - wood pellet/wood chip stoves, solar thermal water heating (vacuum and flat plate), solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.