Our existing building stock provides one of the construction industries biggest challenges in achieving our net-zero targets. From a design perspective we must consider building performance, quality and monitoring, but there are also significant barriers in terms of funding and skills capacity in order to implement the changes required. In addition we exacerbate the problem by designing and constructing new buildings to current standards which are not fit for purpose.

ECD Architects director Alistair Cameron will discuss these challenges, and through review of current ECD projects, explore how these challenges can be met.

Alistair leads ECD’s Glasgow office with live projects throughout Scotland. With 20 years in the industry, He has a long-standing interest in, and an in-depth knowledge of sustainability in the built environment with extensive experience in managing and designing projects which span the sectors. These include retrofit programs to achieve EESSH standards, new build and refurb projects in tertiary and higher education settings to Passivhaus standards, and the regeneration of entire new neighbourhoods such as the Lochgelly Town Centre regeneration in Fife which was winner of the Planning and PlaceMaking Awards.

Alistair has worked with the Technology Strategy Board on several schemes, including the building performance evaluation programme, has been involved in a number of research projects on sustainable design in relation to Passivhaus and Energiesprong standards and is currently working on the UK’s first new-build Energiesprong project.