Centre
Centre for Sustainable Construction and Retrofit
Unit(s) of assessment: Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
Research theme: Sustainable Futures
School: School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Overview
Net-zero by 2050 presents a huge challenge to the construction sector, which accounts for up to 50% of carbon emissions. An absence of skills, knowledge and expertise threaten to derail plans to retrofit the current building stock. This Centre will build on and enhance the existing activity with the School. Sustainability in the built environment has been a research strength of ADBE and we have a strong reputation in housing retrofit.
Our ‘Scale-up Retrofit 2050’ whitepaper report called for a nationwide programme to boost the energy efficiency of existing homes through deep retrofit. The REMOURBAN project demonstrated the benefits of deep retrofits and was showcased as part of the UK Built Environment Virtual Pavilion during COP26. It was followed by a ‘scaling-up deep retrofit for social landlords’ pilot project, funded by the Energy Saving Trust and ongoing collaboration with ARC Partnership and Nottingham County Council.
Our vision is to develop solutions, skills and support locally and nationally to enable a low carbon transition within the built environment sector.
Core approaches and themes
CSCR is a unique centre that aims to both explore the applied research question of how the built environment sector transitions to a low carbon future alongside practically addressing the retrofit skills gap via the creation of new courses and providing consultancy support for business. It has three approaches:
The research stream will build research capacity and impact in retrofit and low carbon construction to explore the practical and policy related questions related to the decarbonisation of the built environment.
Themes include:
- Socio-technical challenges and opportunities for scaling up retrofit solutions
- Improved understanding of the skills gap and barriers for SMEs
- Addressing the challenge of heritage and conservation buildings
- Improved understanding and calculating of life cycle assessments and net zero
- Circular economy
- Smart cities, citizen engagement and urban planning
The skills stream will oversee and support the creation and delivery of courses to ensure we are a leading provider of low carbon construction and sustainability education.
See below for a list of qualifications and short courses we offer.
The knowledge exchange theme will support local organisations, especially SMEs, with individual and student consultancy and short courses to help individuals and organisations build knowledge, capacity and skills to be more sustainable.
Themes include:
- Short microcredentials
- Carbon literacy training
- Consultancy for SMEs to help reduce their carbon footprints and management of their built environment
Related staff
Richard Bull
Deputy Dean
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
David Walker
Principal Lecturer
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Anton Ianakiev
Professor
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Dr. Massey Nazarian
Senior Lecturer
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Lois Woods
Senior Lecturer
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Gavin Killip
Professor
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Paul Beetham
Associate Professor
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Stuart Denoon-Stevens
Senior Lecturer
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Mike Siebert
Lecturer
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Ehsan Asnaashari
Senior Lecturer
Construction Management and Quantity Surveying
Toby Ebbs
Senior Lecturer
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Short courses and professional development for construction, engineering and real estate industries
You might be just starting out and looking to enhance your CV or a professional exploring how continuing professional development (CPD) can support your career progression. Whatever your motivation, NTU is the place to come.
We offer a range of short courses that start throughout the year and are specifically designed to fit around work and other commitments. Daytime, evening and Saturday courses are available. Some offer credit, others a CPD certificate.
Explore our range of short courses and professional development opportunities.
Building a sustainable future
Sustainability consultancy
NTU offer a comprehensive package of support to help businesses become more sustainable, carbon-literate, and contribute towards an increasingly green economy. This support is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Find out more
Sustainability in Enterprise
Learn about our Sustainability in Enterprise project, that helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Greater Nottingham on their journey to Net Zero.
Find out more
High Level Skills
The High Level Skills programme is a collection of projects that offers dedicated support, advice and funding to help up-skill employees of SMEs and provide businesses with access to the wealth of graduate talent in the area.
Find out more
Green Skills Bootcamps
Our Green Skills Bootcamps are funded by The Department for Education, granting eligible learners across the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire regions access to the technical training required to secure employment within the low-carbon construction sector.
Find out more
Related courses
Future Homes Design and Construction - Mansfield - Higher National Certificate
Undergraduate | Full-time; Part-time | 2023
Level 4 Apprenticeship in Construction Design and Build Technician - Higher National Certificate
Undergraduate | Part-time | 2023
Level 4 Apprenticeship in Construction Site Supervision - Higher National Certificate
Undergraduate | Part-time | 2023
Get in touch
If you have any questions please contact Richard Bull, richard.bull@ntu.ac.uk.