Articles:

Reconstruction isn't just about rebuilding structures; it's crucially about re-establishing and enhancing energy independence and resilience.

However, that increases energy consumption from fans.In naturally ventilated buildings, the recommendation is that windows should be opened frequently, even during winter, but this causes substantial heat loss and the inefficient operation of heating and cooling systems.

It is also advised that in the event of further virus outbreaks, heat recovery devices are switched off – affecting the efficiency of HVAC systems.. Additionally, the recommendation to switch off recirculating cooling systems (fan coils and passive chilled beams) to limit the movement of airborne particles would affect thermal comfort and wellbeing due to overheating..These healthy design requirements can have a large impact on energy efficiency and increase pressure on carbon reduction targets and aspirations to design Net Zero Carbon buildings.It is very important to balance these needs and think carefully about our HVAC management and controls.

But most importantly, we need to design buildings which are resilient and adopt the principles of passive design.Buildings that adopt adequate solar control measures, good thermal insulation, good daylight levels and openable windows via narrow plates have the capacity to reduce peak heating and cooling gains and the dependence on mechanical ventilation, where feasible..

The growing importance of physical and mental wellbeing in architecture and design.

Due to the side effects of COVID-19, physical and mental wellbeing are becoming a key priority for many building developers, designers and construction companies.. Buildings (residential and commercial) are places to live and work but increasingly also to play and move, with a strong focus on physical activity and active lifestyles.“There’s so much to get on with, there's so much to build.

There's so much opportunity in this space that designers should be seeing this as a phenomenal space to step into and an exciting place.But it doesn't feel like that's necessarily landing with the design community at the moment.”.

Marks describes the world of the “new possible,” where everyone becomes a productiser making products, where owners become true influencers, and where some, like the ‘super subs’, general contractors, and builders, become systems integrators.In this space, she says, it is only the architects who become more fully what they’ve always been and always set out to be..