cultivate.ie

Green Building Course 09

Wednesday evenings | 28 Jan - 4 March 09 | 7-9pm | €180 | 10% discount for ÉASCA and Cultivate Members | Cultivate Centre | Essex St West | Temple Bar | Bookings 01 674 5773 | This course is FULL

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: Paraic Davis - MCO Environment, Niall Crossan - Ecological Building Systems, Mike Haslam - Solearth Architecture, Joseph Little - Joseph Little Architects,  Patrick Duffy - NICER Training - and Duncan Stewart, RTE

1) Creating Sustainable Buildings – A Rated and Passive Houses – 28/01/09

This seminar looks at the need to design buildings with low energy demand.  A close look at the recent Building Energy Rating system and the new building regulations illustrates what needs to be taken into account by architects, engineers and builders to work towards achieving A Rated or Passive buildings.  This session will explore the key factors to creating sustainable buildings in the context of reaching standards for Building Energy Ratings and Passive Homes. 

2) Airtightness, Insulation & Ventilation – 04/02/09

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.

3) Natural materials, design and systems – 11/02/09

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) Heat, Power & Renewable Energy – 18/02/09

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.

5) Environmental and Healthy Renovations – 25/02/09

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.

6) Timber Frame Buildings – 04/03/09

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.