Buzz Publications

10th July 2017

World first biophilic design research project connects buildings with nature

A live office refurbishment will provide environmental and human data as evidence for positive health and wellbeing impacts on office occupants BRE has launched The Biophilic Office project – a ground-breaking office refurbishment project that will provide quantified evidence on the benefits of biophilic design on health, well-being and productivity of office occupants. The project … Continue reading “World first biophilic design research project connects buildings with nature”

10th July 2017

It all started with Johnnie

Tyres have been made from wood as well as leather,  iron and steel (wrapped around wooden wheels), and used on carts and wagons. The original spelling was ‘tire’, which comes from the French word tirer: to pull. Pneumatic tyres The first practical air-filled pneumatic tyre was made in 1888 by John Boyd Dunlop, a Scots-born vet, for his … Continue reading “It all started with Johnnie”

24th April 2017

Beasties… but not timorous

beastie pronunciation: biːsti noun SCOTTISH humorous plural noun: beasties an insect or other small animal. Personally I do not like beasties (even though I hail from the place where the word “beasties” come from), especially the ones that wriggle eg maggots. I recently opened a food recycling container – apparently all the food waste is … Continue reading “Beasties… but not timorous”

16th January 2017

Heat metering

Heating accounts for nearly half of final energy consumption in the UK (48% in 2013) and 78% of non-transport energy use (DECC, 2013). Heat is a utility, like water, gas, and electricity.  Communal or district heating systems are becoming more common and these involve the centralised generation of heat and the distribution of this heat … Continue reading “Heat metering”

15th December 2016

5 questions about Phase Change Materials (including one about cocktails)

BRE Global technical author Corinne Williams answers 5 questions about her new publication Assessing the performance of Phase Change Materials in buildings. Question 1: Did you have to test several cocktails during the writing of this publication? No! The ice cube example is a simple way to explain how PCMs work. Ice is a commonly used … Continue reading “5 questions about Phase Change Materials (including one about cocktails)”

6th December 2016

The insurance market has failed to keep pace with the construction sector – it’s time to improve collaboration

Key players in the construction sector recently met with leading construction insurers to discuss current trends and debate the future outlook for their industries. The meeting of minds was organised following a discussion between Lucas Fettes & Partners and Constructing Excellence, the organisation charged with driving the change agenda in construction. In light of the … Continue reading “The insurance market has failed to keep pace with the construction sector – it’s time to improve collaboration”