Construction and architecture professionals are under increasing pressure to reduce CO2 emissions through legislation and by meeting other critical environmental and financial targets. Following last years very successful “nuts and bolts” Study Day at the BRE , SCALA and SCEME have once again come together to offer practical guidance in the confusing arena of zero carbon versus low carbon, what is it all about and can it be achieved?  This year we are joined  for the first time by our colleagues in Wales , thanks to CLAW (Consortium of Local Authorities in Wales )

The Study Day will give the professional who is short on time and resources the opportunity for a focused and rewarding series of presentations from leading speakers giving practical guidance and examples in this field. The afternoon programme will include break out sessions allowing smaller groups of delegates to explore specific areas of interest with high levels of interaction. 

The venue for the Study Day is the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University and within the School is the “Centre for Research in the Built Environment” , (CRiBE), who will act as our host for the day.  CRiBE has been designated by the Welsh Assembly Government as a Centre of Excellence and it has a long established international reputation in the fields of environmental design and research.    

On the Thursday afternoon prior to the Study Day, a coach will take those delegates staying over before the event to visit the National Assembly for Wales Building (Senedd) designed by Lord Rogers (and which features a number of energy conservation measures), for a conducted tour of the facility, before then travelling to see a newly completed facility called the Margam Park Environmental Discovery Centre, designed by the School of Architecture in-house, Design Research Unit.  The building has being constructed using modern methods of construction with offsite fabricated timber units from Hull .  It is designed as a zero carbon scheme using a combination of passive design measures and renewable energy techniques . In the evening, there will be an info rmal dinner held at the Holiday Inn, which as in previous years will provide an excellent opportunity for delegates to enjoy a relaxing, social evening together.