As summers get hotter and air conditioning becomes more common, the question is no longer just how well buildings perform in a heatwave — it is how people will actually use them. Dr Huda Elsherif, building physics engineer at Scotch Partners, explores the hidden politics of thermal comfort.
Once poorly understood by the mainstream building industry, airtightness is now increasingly seen as one of the most crucial objectives on any building project. Not only is it vital for energy efficiency, it’s also key for thermal comfort and for protecting a building’s structure from dampness and mould. In this comprehensive guide to airtightness, we look at why it’s so important, how exactly it’s measured, and most importantly, how to achieve it on site.
A new low energy and airtight extension is currently on site at the TLC Nursing Home in Maynooth, Co Kildare.
Saint-Gobain has launched its ‘Multi Comfort’ building concept at Ecobuild in London. Click here to see a short video outlining the idea, which is based on passive house principles.