September 22, 2004—A new, integrated approach to building design, called Catalyse, aims to help architects, building services engineers and quantity surveyors to work together to meet client needs—and the demands of existing and new legislation — by improving the energy performance of new office buildings.
Being developed by the INREB Faraday Partnership, Catalyse will support key design professionals through a flexible Continuing Professional Development package that builds the knowledge and skills needed to deliver improved sustainability. The areas covered will include:
- the drivers for sustainability
- the impact of different procurement methods in achieving sustainability
- the importance of integrated working and partnership engagement in the design process
- key issues for developing low carbon office buildings
- achieving holistic solutions
- new and renewable energy technologies.
Office buildings with better energy performance have tangible benefits for both clients and occupiers, including increased property values, lower operational running costs, improved comfort levels and the associated increases in staff productivity.
Delivering these benefits requires, not only major technical innovations, but also the development of practitioner skills and the implementation of integrated team-working approaches by those responsible for the design and delivery of buildings. Catalyse will develop the knowledge and skills needed in the construction industry to enable professionals to work effectively together, improve the energy performance of new office buildings and ultimately deliver a more sustainable built environment.
Catalyse is a Carbon Trust funded program led by Loughborough University and BRE.
For more information, contact INREB.
