Fundamental problems in building design and how we manage thermal comfort, with Susan Roaf (Heriot-Watt; ICARB)
Episode description
We are delighted to bring you a conversation with Professor Emeritus Susan Roaf, of Heriot-Watt University this week to talk about a bunch of fundamental problems in building design and the management of thermal comfort.
She is a wonderful guest and we're looking forward to having her back.
Originally, we planned to talk about her article COP 28: Net zero buildings by 2050? You have got to be joking! a well-judged critique of the outcomes at the most recent COP but we meandered a bit more than expected, but we still managed to cover most of the issues she raises.
In the end, we took in a shared colonial history and its influence on the way we approach managing thermal comfort, problems with architectural education, the flaws in solely thinking about decarbonisation of the grid as a panacea, problems with designing buildings have an over-reliance on technology, as well as her colourful and storied background.
In some ways with could be considered a counterpart to last year's episode about thermal comfort with Huda Elsherfif and Andy Simmonds, so check that too if you haven't heard it already.
Notes from the show
- Susan on LinkedIn
- Her article COP 28: Net zero buildings by 2050? You have got to be joking!
- Her book, Energy Efficient Building: A Design Guide
**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**
We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.
- Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page
- Jeff, Alex, and Dan about websites, branding, and communications - zap@eiux.agency; Everything is User Experience
- Subscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)
- Check Lloyd's Substack: Carbon Upfront
- Join ACAN
- Join the AECB
- Join the IGBC
- Check out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women (but not in a patronizing way)
**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**