The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) recently hosted a successful Sustainability Conference, ‘Routes to Net Zero Carbon’, which focused on addressing pressing challenges within the built environment. The event, held on 31st May, 2023, brought together architects, industry experts, and professionals passionate about sustainable design.
The conference proved to be a thought-provoking event, providing attendees with valuable insights and solutions to tackle sustainability issues. Drawing a diverse audience consisting of architects, urban planners, engineers, builders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates, attendees had the opportunity to explore various topics related to sustainable design and construction. The conference programme covered a wide range of pressing issues, including calculating embodied carbon/emissions, the future of low carbon educational buildings, options for natural materials and more.
The lineup of knowledgeable speakers and panelists who shared their expertise and experiences included:
During the main talks of the day attendees heard from 6 speakers on a variety of topics including; the UK’s first Passivhaus Leisure Centre, including a passivpool from Emma Osmundsen, Exeter City Living; Sam Tyler from FCBS Studios presented on the sustainability agenda of the brief and design response in delivering Ulster University’s Belfast Campus; Tómas O’Leary from MosArt discussed Ireland’s first office building to the Certified Passivhaus standard.
During the workshop sessions attendees had the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of sessions to attend. Topics included; how a typical Irish bungalow was retrofitted to the world leading passive house standard; how the NI Housing Executive plan to tackle the challenge of retrofitting its housing stock; the Erne Campus project for South West College – the first educational building in the world to achieve Passive House Premium certification; the trials and tribulations from the largest developer led Passive House project in UK and Ireland plus many more!
Many thanks to our headline sponsor Unilin Insulation as well as our other sponsors Nilan Green and Gateley Legal for playing a key role in making this event happen as well as to the following members of the RSUA Climate Emergency Committee for their involvement; Paul McAlister, Dominic Morris, Dr Barry McCarron, Martin Marshall and Donal MacRandal.
If you missed the RSUA Sustainability Conference, stay tuned for updates from the RSUA on future events and initiatives related to sustainable architecture and design. Together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient built environment for future generations.
