Establishing research directions in sustainable building design

Establishing research directions in sustainable building design

Sustainable building form: The role of architecture and urban planning with respect to climate change

Tyndall Research Theme 2 - Decarbonising Modern Societies
Project ID - IT1.28

Principal contact: Dr Koen Steemers

The following information is available on this project:

Final technical report:

For Tyndall Centre Technical Report 5 see attachment: Steemers, K , (2003) Establishing research directions in sustainable building design

Technical Summary

Buildings account for over 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and thus have a major potential role to play with respect to climate change. Furthermore, buildings and cities are, and will increasingly be, affected by the consequences of climate change.

The purpose of this proposal is to bring together the expertise within the Tyndall Centre consortium related to sustainable building and urban design in the context of climate change, in order to develop a cross-disciplinary and integrated research agenda. The method will be to plan and organise a series of five thematic workshops and related publications, in order to formulate clear research priorities and proposals for further funding. The objective is thus to develop a common vision and clear agenda for future research in this area under the Tyndall Centre.

A unique aspect of the project is that the Tyndall Centre members involved cover a wide range of disciplines from architecture, engineering and urban planning to social and economic issues. All have a keen interest in developing a deeper knowledge of the interelationships between building/urban design and climate change.

The workshops will be chaired by Emeritus Professor Peter Carolin CBE - a well-established and leading figure in both professional practice and academia. Key workshops will also involve leading practisioners including representatives from Ove Arup and Partners, Richard Rogers Partnership and Michael Hopkins and Partners.