Quadrum Global’s Post

Our final focus area during #TheCarbonConundrum was: SIMPLIFYING DESIGN Removing complicated design and educating occupiers and facilities managers will make a significant impact and is arguably simpler than starting from scratch. Solution providers revisiting buildings, new and refurbished after six months and then after two years will go a long way to understanding what is working, what isn’t and framing the discussions around why and how to change it in future.  “We need to make sure that that loop closes so you always end up with a better system. If a manufacturer or designer knows, they can make changes.” Running through every part of the design and implementation process is the addition of layers of safety factor. For example, chillers are over-specified by designers to meet constant peak loads regardless of season or occupancy. Added to this, specifiers increase the capacity to enable redundancy in case of failure. Long life, loose fit – must become a more heavily adopted mantra. We are spending too much on materials in buildings. We should be using less materials, more carefully sourced and more efficiently used. “Money is finite and there are many other priorities in society today and the whole industry needs to be cognisant of that.” Educating tenants is also important – we need to work together to actually understand what systems they are using, utilising more technology and data through simple BMS to monitor and adjust accordingly. “No one really has the knowledge of benchmarking energy use in the tenancy world. We need to help them with that and it doesn’t have to be over-complicated.” #CarbonConundrum – collaboration will bring change. Thank you to all our panelists quoted above: Danny Hall Alia Hashem Chris Twinn Marie-Louise Schembri Mike Edwards And thanks also to Kate Forster for facilitating such a great discussion. #HilsonMoran #TheCrownEstate #DerwentLondon #TwinnSustainabilityInnovation #Arup #Artus #netzero2050 #carbonconundrum #industryleaders #innovation #welcometothefuture #thoughtleadership #netzero #debate #whitepaper #officedesign #officefitout #constructionindustry #mechanicalengineering #sustainability #esg #SimplifiedDesign #LongLifeLooseFit #facilitiesManagers #FM

[#PointOfView] 🏠 When we talk about sustainability, it’s not just about protecting the planet but also caring for its occupants. That's why sustainable construction is also a well-being-centered approach. 🌍Discover how innovation is transforming building design to address these key challenges, in this new article from our magazine "Constructing a Sustainable Future". 👇 Link in the comments.

🌍Discover how innovation is transforming building design to address these key challenges, in this new article from our magazine "Constructing a Sustainable Future"

Another day, and the feed is ripe with architects advocating for sustainability. A fairly heavy group of Swedish industry profiles are for example arguing that our clients have to start demanding more from us as a profession in terms of sustainability; followed by a rather bold statement that we are ready to meet those demands with knowledge and solutions. It is all rather inspiring, urgent and enthusiastic. Upon re-reading though, I notice that sustainability, once again, seems to be reduced to the environmental part of the concept. Two thirds are absent. Adaptive re-use, carbon neutrality, and regenerative design are mentioned over and over again but the economic and social aspects of sustainability are missing from the argument. Economics is mentioned once, in passing, as a problematic hurdle in our quest to save the planet from ecological disaster. Social sustainability is not mentioned at all. I find this both curious and troublesome. Not so much the urgent call for a more balanced relationship with our planet (I promise, I get it) but the detachment from the two aspects that will make such a transformation possible; money and people.   Because behind the eagerness to implement our knowledge of regenerative design lurks a reality where hourly rates are dumped in order to secure contracts, and where a dedicated but already brutally strained workforce is constantly expected to do more work, in shorter time, for whatever pittance the contracts leave us with. This, ladies and gentlemen, is of course not sustainable at all. What good will our knowledge of taking care of the planet do when we are not taking care of ourselves? How much good is our spirit of stewardship if we are robbing that spirit of the very sustenance that keeps it going?   We are at a very difficult crossroad. We really do need to accelerate a transformation of the building industry in terms of sustainability. However, maybe that transformation starts with how we are doing business and how we treat our own human resources?

The push for health-focused building design is gaining momentum, influencing real estate trends globally. Natural light and clear views are crucial for well-being and productivity. Dynamic Glass technology adjusts to changing sunlight, ensuring optimal light levels and reducing glare and UV exposure. This innovation fosters a healthier, more productive workspace while supporting sustainability. Are you exploring wellness-oriented building improvements?

Design with water Arup’s Design with Water framework is why I joined Arup, it’s 4 principles that underpin our approach to design being Integrated, Smart, Resilient & Regenerative. It considers water-cycle assets as a series of linked place-based systems that can be applied at a range of scales, from households and communities to cities and catchments.  Traditionally, these layers have been designed and managed by separate sectors, agencies and disciplines – but to deliver the best outcomes, they need to be considered as an integrated system.  This is why I love what I do and seek to actively apply new thinking to support Adelaide become the most livable city in the world.

In a recent panel discussion around ‘Designing for Tomorrow: Sustainable Design Solutions’ at the Design Show Australia 2024, panelists discussed the innovative solutions needed to create a more sustainable housing industry.   Key points highlighted: ♻ A detailed approach to sustainability with the design and construction industries taking responsibility in mitigating carbon emissions, particularly embodied carbon 🌟 Innovation in sustainable manufacturing and materials to reduce environmental impact while maintaining product quality 👩💼 Collaboration across the industry to educate clients about sustainable options and use tools like EPDs to make informed decisions    At NXT TEC. Ltd, we fully agree with the key points highlighted by the panel discussion – and we are already taking action. Fostering real actionable change across the construction industry, NXT TEC. Ltd takes an innovative and sustainable approach to building through the NXT® Building System which revolutionises the building process, by taking full control of the supply chain. Materials used as part of our technology are also prepared with precise ordering and prefabrication, reducing material waste and the embodied carbon produced. Leading the industry in sustainable building, the Wyndham LUX Perth Hotel, one of our upcoming projects, is also the first hotel worldwide to receive an EPD. We are committed to continuing to closely collaborate with industry, governments and communities.   To learn more about how NXT TEC. Ltd is building sustainably, read here: https://lnkd.in/dcAwPNgP   #NXTTEC #NXTBuildingSystem #BuildingSolutions #Innovation #Housingsolutions #GreenBuilding #Sustainable #SustainableConstruction #EPD #SustainableHousing #CarbonReduction #GreenInnovation  #FutureOfBuilding

👉 Yesterday we had the honor of conducting an inspiring workshop on the strategy of circular building design 🚧 and circular public procurement and tenders in the construction sector, organized by the Instytut Innowacji i Odpowiedzialnego Rozwoju INNOWO as part of the #CirCon4Climate project. 👷♀️ Participants, representing various areas of the construction sector - from public procurement departments, through architects and construction product manufacturers, to developers and contractors - had the opportunity to explore the latest strategies and best practices in the field of circularity. The workshop provided participants with theoretical knowledge, but was primarily based on group work. 👉 During interactive workshop sessions, participants worked on specific case studies, learning how to effectively implement a circular approach in their projects. 🏗 We would like to thank all participants for their commitment and valuable discussions. Your experiences and ideas are invaluable in the pursuit of a more sustainable future in construction. Big thank you to all participants: ESG Dominika Baginska-Chylek Anna Bączyk Jacek Boruc Anna Ceroń bgk ArcelorMittal WARBUD S.A. Marta Dziarnowska Maciej Lewandowski Krzysztof Niemiec Aleksandra Stępniak Małgorzata Tomczyk Mateusz Kozicki Anna Goljan Instytut Techniki Budowlanej Thank you for organizers: Hubert Bukowski, Agnieszka Sznyk PhD Marianna Rytlewska #CircularEconomy #SustainableDesign #GreenBuilding #CircularProcurement #CirCon4Climate #INNOWO #workshop