AI FrameworkExcitement around artificial intelligence (AI) has reached the building sector, with applications now found in architectural design, building modelling and in market valuation. Given that people spend approximately 90% of their lives indoors, buildings have the potential to significantly enhance people’s health and wellbeing, writes Jodie Pimentel, Chief Counsel, International WELL Building Institute PBC...Read More

Ireland has a legally-binding target of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Energy efficiency and renewable technologies have become priorities in EU policy and legislation, and the decarbonisation of heat is a key part of the government’s plans to achieve our targets. Here Paula Lynch, SEAI’S Programme Manager, Business Supports – SSRH, explains the support options...Read More

As an Irish engineer who spent over six years living in Australia and became a dual citizen, I have an appreciation of what both nations do well and areas where we could improve collaboration. For example, as a Waterford native, I strongly believe that the “Waterford Blaa” would be an excellent addition to an Australian...Read More

After 47 years in the industry, Jim Wheatley of McKeon Group has decided to step down and enjoy his retirement. Widely-known and respected both within McKeon Group and the industry at large, Jim is a keen advocate for continuous education, up-skilling and mentoring. More than anything else he believes that clear and honest communication is...Read More

Elections, elections, elections … Have you had enough yet? How many times have we heard this year that, across the world, there are more national and other elections in 2024 than ever before? Do these elections really matter? How do they impact the consulting engineering sector? The European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA) thinks...Read More

The Energy Performance of Building Directive was enacted in 2002, which when transposed into Irish law, instigated the role of Building Energy Rating (BER) Assessor. Here, Stephen McGovern (right), Cork Energy Consultancy and Chair of the BER Assessors’ Association, reveals just how essential BER assessors are to the energy, carbon and sustainability goals set by...Read More

Earlier this year at a time when a plethora of requests were being published for an initiative to solve the imminent water emergency, the European Commission abandoned the Water Resilience Initiative. EFCA was only one of the Federations that was dismayed by this move, which was purely political. Sensitive to the timing in the run...Read More

How do we change the conversation around carbon, from being perceived as a global liability to a valuable resource? This is the question posed by Rachel A Meidl, Fellow in energy and sustainability at Rice University’s Baker Institute, in the latest issue of Building Services Engineering. The transformation of carbon is the life-blood of all...Read More

The Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB) Summit 2024 marked a historic milestone in the realm o sustainable construction, as it brought together industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders to delve into the latest advancements and challenges in achieving zero-emission buildings. Hosted by MosArt, a pioneering firm with over 30 years of experience in championing Passive House principles,...Read More

After a hiatus in the CIBSE Ireland Workshare Exchange Programme because of Covid, it has now been re-activated with Ethos Engineering and Designer Group being the participants for the first phase of 2024. The inaugural event in 2019 proved an enormous success and the intention is to build on that. The aim of the programme...Read More