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Building refurbishment is a key in promoting environmentally sustainable development due to its potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption associated with existing buildings. The general metrics for assessing the impacts of refurbishment have not been established for existing buildings in most of the countries. A comprehensive Delphi process was developed to assist in the identification of suitable assessment schemes for use in non-domestic buildings. The study revealed that energy related factors such as air-conditioning were ranked as the most important assessment theme for refurbishment, followed by indoor environmental quality and water assessment. The findings of this research will be used to develop a weighting system by using the analytic hierarchy process in the next research stage, leading to a complete refurbishment environmental assessment scheme.
The School of Enginering at Manchester Metropolitsan University is expanding - and high achieving individuals are welcome to apply:
To be my boss (!) : Head of School of Engineering and Professor/Reader https://manmetjobs.mmu.ac.uk/jobs/vacancy/head-of-school-of-engineering-and-professor-reader-0835-mmu-all-saints-campus/846/description/ Closing 12th August 2018 Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering https://manmetjobs.mmu.ac.uk/jobs/vacancy/lecturer-in-mechanical-engineering-0818-mmu-all-saints-campus/829/description/ Closing 25 July 2018 Lecturer in Electrical Engineering https://manmetjobs.mmu.ac.uk/jobs/vacancy/lecturer-in-electrical-engineering-0819-mmu-all-saints-campus/830/description/ Closing 6 August 2018 Good luck !
Climate change and sustainable living will revolutionise building designs and economic wealth created in growing cities will add pressure to accommodate the expanding business and population. Our heritage is now being put on the back seat.
Little is known of the true value of historic monuments among the younger/future generation. The impact of social, cultural, historical and political perspective toward a major historical building is even less known. It is now time for Malaysia can now take lead in establishing possible correlation in this new area of research. Existing buildings, not new, hold this strategic role. Join me at https://www.facebook.com/events/175013439943676/ The building industry has an undeniable impact on the natural environment. Evidence shows that existing buildings make a significant contribution to energy demand and CO2 emissions. Refurbishing existing buildings offers significant opportunities to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The Malaysian government has set a target to retrofit 100 government buildings in order to contribute to the country's commitment to reduce the CO2 emissions intensity of gross domestic product by 45% by 2030. However, there is no specific sustainability assessment scheme targeted at building refurbishment in Malaysia. Thus, this research aims to support the development of a refurbishment sustainability assessment scheme for Malaysia. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was adopted in order to rank assessment themes and identify the priorities of the study's participating stakeholders. The outcome is the Malaysian Refurbishment Assessment Scheme (MRAS), which includes a set of weightings and a classification system for the selected assessment themes and sub-themes. The methods and findings can be adapted for use by other practitioners to develop building assessment schemes in order to pursue the goals of sustainable development through refurbishment.
To read more https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.04.031 A new agenda and approach to prioritise the recycling of products was developed based on a recycling desirability index. The material mixing complexity measure was inverted into a simplicity index and then extended by modelling the security index for the mix of materials and the technological readiness level of recycling technologies. The extended model is proposed as an integrated measure of the desirability of recycling end-of-life products. From this analysis, an apparent recycling desirability boundary, enabling products to be prioritised for recycling, was developed. Read our new paper here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.03.201
The building sector has been identified as having the biggest GHG emission reduction potential – existing buildings, especially commercial buildings, have a crucial role to play in addressing sustainability. The building sector accounted for one-quarter to one-third of all energy use and a similar proportion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (UNEP, 2009, WBCSD, 2009 and ABC, 2007) because buildings have a long life expectancy and require continuous consumption of natural resources (energy and water) for decades after construction (Yang et al., 2013).
Can the industry truly produce a sustainable building? How are we going to grade and assess them? Read more here: Open Access article http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.04.031 I’m back … and we welcome our new 2016/17 cohort of postgraduate students – all 311 of them (so far). Curiosity and excitement is in the air among new students and this started a discussion around Building Information Modelling or BIM. Here are some top links:
UK Government Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a collaborative way of working, underpinned by the digital technologies which unlock more efficient methods of designing, creating and maintaining our assets. BIM embeds key product and asset data and a 3 dimensional computer model that can be used for effective management of information throughout a project lifecycle – from earliest concept through to operation. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34710/12-1327-building-information-modelling.pdf NBS UK BIM is an acronym for Building Information Modelling. It describes the means by which everyone can understand a building through the use of a digital model. Modelling an asset in digital form enables those who interact with the building to optimize their actions, resulting in a greater whole life value for the asset. https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/what-is-building-information-modelling-bim RICS UK Building information modelling (BIM) gets people and information working together effectively and efficiently through defined processes and technology. BIM was brought to wide industry attention in the UK Government Construction Strategy published in 2011. http://www.rics.org/uk/knowledge/glossary/bim-intro/ Autodesk UK Building Information Modelling (BIM) is changing how buildings, infrastructure and utilities are planned, designed, built and managed. Autodesk BIM solutions help turn information into insight and deliver business value at every step in the process. http://www.autodesk.co.uk/solutions/building-information-modeling/overview Tekla With BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology, one or more accurate virtual models of a building are constructed digitally. They support design through its phases, allowing better analysis and control than manual processes. When completed, these computer-generated models contain precise geometry and data needed to support the construction, fabrication, and procurement activities through which the building is realised. https://www.tekla.com/uk/about/what-is-bim So, what is it? A 3D model? Technology? Process? Magic? Perhaps we should turn the question around – Do I know what I want and how can BIM help me ? What frustrates me most is when people turn around and say BIM is a 3D model **splat**. NO. Its much, much (much, much, much, much, much, much, much) more than that!! BIM can keep any information you want and the models is only a bonus! ### Rant over ### Welcome back! |