The impact the construction industry has upon the current climate emergency is more prominent than ever before.
As an industry, it is essential that we redefine not only how we construct buildings, but how we operate them, procure materials and resource. These fundamental changes will contribute to delivering responsible, high quality solutions, both through the end product and workmanship, that will continue to give back to the surrounding environments long after handover.
Within LDC, we are listening, learning and preparing to change how we design and develop projects to achieve the Passivhaus standard in order to eliminate our carbon footprint and support our clients in this vital area, in line with the Government’s Climate Change Act 2008 and The Environment Strategy for Scotland. Led by Passivhaus accredited training provider, WARM, three members of our Senior Management Team recently completed the Low Energy Building Practice Sessions.
These sessions have provided in-depth knowledge to Contracts Managers, John Gilchrist and Eddie McCrory and Design Manager, Graeme Bell, of the key principles of what makes a good low energy, comfortable building, based on the Passivhaus standard. Running in conjunction with The Green Register and The Passivhaus Trust, the team have now shared their knowledge with the wider LDC team, reinforcing the importance of the essential aspects of air tightness and thermal bridging and recognising the impact these elements will have as more clients seek to achieve their environmental targets.
Commenting on the need to actively adopt new practices, Head of Design, Graeme Bell, said: “The training has been critical to our learning and how we will design, develop and build new facilities to achieve the Passivhaus certification. It has also highlighted the importance of the Enerphit model with regards to older buildings and the operational footprint they are emitting. The ultimate message we have taken away is that we are at a crucial stage of the climate emergency and we need to make significant changes within the construction industry to protect and conserve the environments in which we work. We are looking forward to collaborating and engaging with new and existing clients and our supply chain to help the targets set become reality.”