UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings re-launches
Conferences, Seminars

UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings re-launches

Nov 04, 2017
On 20 October, the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB) hosted a successful re-launch event. Over a hundred experts joined the conference to hear about the UKCMB’s latest research outputs, videos and tools. UKCMB discussed plans for the new training programme and other upcoming activities. Ian Mawditt from fourwalls co-chairs the technical working group for ventilation, airtightness and moisture in buildings alongside Prof. Tim Sharpe from MEARU at GSA. Our TWG will be coordinating activities and scoping studies in this area soon. For further information about the re-launch and to see the presentations from the day, go to the…
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Indoor air quality, airtightness and ventilation
Seminars, Training

Indoor air quality, airtightness and ventilation

Feb 27, 2017
Book now for this very well-received event with a panel of expert speakers. Free Zero Carbon Hub guides x 4 for all attendees! Does an airtight building result in an unhealthy internal environment? What are the health consequences of poor indoor air quality? What ventilation solutions are there to protect the occupants? Indoor air quality, airtightness and ventilation – a challenging balancing act In the past, under-ventilation of buildings was not seen to be much of an issue due to the unintended gaps in the external envelope providing plenty of fresh air to the occupants. However due to improved workmanship,…
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ASBP Healthy Buildings Conference and Expo
Conferences, Seminars

ASBP Healthy Buildings Conference and Expo

Jan 30, 2017
Building products can have a considerable impact on the health of building occupants as well as on the natural environment and on the people and communities impacted by the manufacturing process. Consequently, sustainable products must be healthy products. This Conference, organised by the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products will help delegates to both conceive of and design healthier buildings and to maximise the opportunities of more informed product selection. Ian Mawditt from fourwalls will be speaking at this event on 15th February 2017. Come and see his presentation: Can we rely on good ventilation? IAQ and ventilation effectiveness, which will…
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Oxley Conservation Day, Henley-on-Thames
Conferences, Seminars

Oxley Conservation Day, Henley-on-Thames

Dec 05, 2016
A great day hosted by conservation experts, Oxley Conservation, in a wonderful Grade I medieval timber framed building, Chantry House in Henley-on-Thames. This is an annual event to debate the hot topics in the world of building preservation. This year, one of the main topics related to ventilation and moisture. fourwalls were asked to present about the importance of ventilation in traditional buildings, particularly in the context of retrofit measures where the thermal envelope of the building is subject to being upgraded. A very interesting day - see the Oxley Conservation website for further information about the event.
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Ventilation Presentations for HVAC 2016 at the NEC
Seminars

Ventilation Presentations for HVAC 2016 at the NEC

Oct 05, 2016
fourwalls will be giving two presentations at the HVAC 2016: UK Construction Week Conference at the NEC on 18th October 2016. Ian Mawditt will be presenting alongside Emma Clancy, CEO of Certsure on Indoor Air Quality in Energy Efficient Homes. This will be followed by a joint presentation with Professor Rajat Gupta of Oxford Brookes University on the Characteristics and Performance of MVHR Systems. The Guardian recently wrote an article about a possible link to worsening asthma from the lack of ventilation in more energy efficient homes due to a lack of ventilation. The synopsis of the presentations are:The Guardian…
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Health Effects of Modern Airtight Construction (HEMAC)
Research, Seminars

Health Effects of Modern Airtight Construction (HEMAC)

Sep 26, 2016
The HEMAC Network, hosted by the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit (MEARU) at the Glasgow School of Art, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, held its first symposium on 21st September 2016. The network aims to bridge the gap between the fields of indoor air quality, health, sustainability and the built environment, providing a platform for discussion and collaboration while facilitating knowledge exchange to the built environment professionals. fourwalls director, Ian Mawditt - a committee member of HEMAC, gave a presentation at the first symposium. Entitled 'The State of Ventilation in the UK', Ian presented findings from his…
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Ventilation Masterclass for the STBA
Seminars, Training

Ventilation Masterclass for the STBA

Sep 10, 2016
The second in the STBA series of Masterclasses took place in September, with over 30 delegates learning from Ian Mawditt of fourwalls. Ventilation in retrofit projects is often one of the most overlooked considerations.  Yet ignoring ventilation is high risk, both in terms of occupant health and minimising moisture risk to the building fabric. Most retrofits, by their very nature, will automatically have a dramatic reduction effect on air leakage. However, it can be quite confusing to work out how best to ventilate - natural, mechanical - centralised or decentralised. A number of factors will dictate the most appropriate strategy,…
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Building Performance Evaluation in the South West
Seminars, Twitter

Building Performance Evaluation in the South West

May 13, 2015
Ian Mawditt from fourwalls presented 'how to evaluate buildings - the lessons we have learnt from the Building Performance Evaluation programme' at this event on behalf of Innovate UK. Watch the video here. Through the BPE programme it has become evident that new buildings are rarely evaluated and fine-tuned, and that there is a lack of feedback between the building owner, and the design and construction teams. This can often result in impressive-looking buildings with dissatisfied occupants, and higher-than-expected energy bills. The programme has encouraged capacity building of BPE processes within the industry, and has helped the teams to develop…
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MVHR meta-study talk at Ecobuild
Seminars

MVHR meta-study talk at Ecobuild

Feb 19, 2015
Ian Mawditt from fourwalls has been working in partnership with Professor Tim Sharpe from the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit and Professor Rajat Gupta from Oxford Brookes University on a meta-study of domestic heat recovery ventilation systems. The study, funded by Innovate UK, uses project data from the recent Building Performance Evaluation Programme to assess the air flow characteristics, energy and comfort performance, and user engagement of over 40 installed systems. The study is ongoing, but some of the key findings will be presented at Ecobuild on the 3rd March 2015 in the Building Performance Seminar session. Come along -…
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