Page 25 - The Constructor 2017

The Company

deliver these design proposals and acquire the knowledge and skills that can be passed down to
generations to come.
The proposal includes the development of a bespoke enveloping system with low tech low energy
environmental services to improve people’s homes and quality of life. The system will be
implemented using a materials import & logistics strategy using BIM technology. This will optimize
the shipping of goods, reduce waste in materials and transportation costs and ensure imported
materials can be fully recycled or supplemented by a long-term maintenance plan. This could utilize
potential future island resources such as sheep wool, basaltic blocks and even the processing of
seaweed!
The winning team included Brock Carmichael Architects, Dr G Speller of the University of Surrey, Oval
Partnership, Arup International Development, Multi-QS and Mike Parrett of MPA Engineering.

Mike Parrett – Senior Warden is at the forefront of building science
Our Senior Warden, Mike Parrett, is a well-known and much
respected independent consultant building pathologist. One of his
specialisms is the treatment of damp in building structures and he
is greatly concerned by the possibility of commercial misdiagnosis
of damp in structures by “specialist” contractors who often propose
remedial works from which they benefit commercially and, whilst
they offer attractive long-term guarantees, do not always address
their comprehensive resolution of all forms of dampness. Mike
believes that the initial diagnosis of the problems with a building is
absolutely crucial, and the commercial independence of any building pathologist is paramount.
In a recent article for the RICS he says “The Paris Climate change accord witnessed governments
from around the globe signing up to capping the earths warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-
Industrial levels. The requirement of even lowering the global warming temperature still further is
considered to be necessary by many scientists who predict more global weather catastrophes in the
future if we fail to meet or exceed these target levels. Whilst the phenomenon of cutting
greenhouse gases is not new to us, the Climate change act was first introduced in the UK in 2008
setting the standard for Carbon reductions by 2050. It focused on more airtight buildings, more
energy efficiency in buildings with greater insulation and other retrofit solutions to reduce heat loss
from the fabric of the building and in doing so reduce carbon emissions from conventional use of
fossilised fuels. Alternative energy sources have grown up, although despite the urgent need to
move away from burning carbon emitting fuels, government subsidies have been reduced or
removed altogether for some alternatives for example solar farms.
However, we should remain concerned in the wake of this drive for greater energy efficiency for the
millions of home in both the private and public sectors where retro-fit solutions to improve thermal
resistivity by hermetically sealing many of our homes is also entrapping moisture and in many
quarters we are witnessing a rise in cases of mould and dampness with the resultant ill health of
occupiers.
Identification of both the cause and source of a dampness problem is often complex; is the
dampness and mould due to use and occupation of the building, building defect, building design and
construction or any combination of these principle elements?

Autumn 2017 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | 25