Technical

What is an architectural site plan? A site plan is a really important part of any set of architectural drawings. The site plan will often show information like existing and proposed buildings, access, landscaping, site boundaries and much more. There are, however,...

Metric Data 06 - Wheelchair Accessible Dwelling   Approach, Entrance and Circulation   In Metric Data 06 we look at the approach to dwellings, entrance and circulation for a wheelchair accessible dwelling. This includes details such as requirements for ramps, car...

What is a construction drawing?   A construction drawing or set of construction drawings form part of the pre-construction information that is used to construct a building. Before we dive in to construction drawings, what they look like and what they include -...

Metric Data 05: Approach, Entrance and Horizontal Circulation In Visitable Dwellings   In Metric Data 05 we look at the approach to dwellings, entrance and circulation. This includes details such as requirements for ramps, steps, corridors and sanitary facilities...

What is straw bale construction?   Straw bale construction uses the renewable material of straw, in bale form to act as an infill material to timber frame structures or as a load bearing structure to buildings of no more than two storeys. The construction method...

Metric Data 03: Average dimensions of man and woman in wheelchair   In Metric Data 03 we look at the average dimensions of a wheelchair, and average dimensions of a wheelchair user. This includes details such as average height, average width, average reach...

Metric Data 02: Average dimensions of man and woman sitting In Metric Data 02 we look at the average dimensions of a man sitting and the average dimensions of a woman sitting. This includes details such as average height of man when seated, average height of woman...

What is rammed earth construction?   Rammed earth construction is the process of ramming a mixture of aggregates, like gravel, sand, silt and clay into a formwork to create walls. When the earth is dry the formwork is removed to reveal solid monolithic walls. ...

Metric Data 01: Average dimensions of man and woman standing In Metric Data 01 we look at the average dimensions of a man standing and the average dimensions of a woman standing. This includes details such as average male height, average female height, average reach...

What is biomass energy?   Biomass is a fuel that is produced by organic means. It is derived from burning of trees or plants which have absorbed CO2 during their lifetime. So, the CO2 that is absorbed during the life of the tree or plant, is then re-released when...

What is a heat pump? A heat pump is a system that extracts heat from a source, such as the ground, and upgrades the heat to a useful temperature. The heat is then used for space heating.  Electricity is required to convert the heat that is harvested into usable...

What is Combined heat and power (CHP)?   Combined heat and power (CHP) generates electricity by burning fuel, and captures the usable heat that is produced in the process. Essentially, it is a system that is able to produce both electricity, and heating. Conventional...

Solar Energy   Using the energy of the sun is one of the most effective strategies of the renewable technologies, in part because buildings can benefit from both passive and active systems.    Passive solar design can provide between 20% and 40% of the...

What are low and zero carbon technologies?   Low and zero carbon technologies (LZC) are systems that emit low levels of CO2 or no net CO2 emissions. The application of these systems are more effective when designed with an efficient building fabric, and integrated...

What is thermal mass?   This post will give you an introduction to thermal mass and night cooling.    Energy efficiency, rising temperatures and CO² emissions are very much on our minds in this current climate. As we look at the performance of our buildings,...

Globally, water scarcity is as important as energy, and has an impact on health, and food production. A large proportion of the worlds population do not have access to safe water.    In the UK, we are assured a relatively secured supply of water. However, changes...

Why is airtightness important? Air leakage results in increased space heating demand of a building. Achieving a good level of airtightness will improve the energy efficiency of the building and the comfort of the occupants by reducing drafts and maintaining a more...

You can download a free sound insulation pdf of this post by clicking on the button below: As we have considered in a previous article, sound can have an impact on our physical and mental well being. Surveys have indicated that 50% of people find their home in some...

You can download this post as a handy pdf for free, just click on the button below. Benefits of natural lighting in our buildings   Natural light in our buildings is known to improve occupant comfort. Scientists suggest that good natural light can increase...

You can download this entire article as a handy pdf document by clicking on the button below. Introduction to insulation materials   In order to create a comfortable thermal environment in our buildings we need to maintain a constant temperature within the building....

You can download a free PDF of this post by clicking on the button below.  Achieving good thermal performance of a building fabric will reduce the heat loss from a building, which in turn will reduce the space heating requirements along with carbon emissions and make...

You can download a free pdf of this article by clicking on the button below: Internal Environment   Some of the key factors requiring improvement for the sake of the internal environment of our buildings include thermal performance of the fabric of the building and an...