12,237 new residential and commercial buildings were recorded across the country in 2011, according to figures released by GeoDirectory. This represents a year-on-year decrease of 30% compared to 2010 when 17,587 new buildings were identified nationally, and a drop of 87% compared to the record high of 2007. GeoDirectory was jointly established by An Post … Read more
The University of Ulster is to host a free training programme for local construction companies in a bid to help reduce the 4 million tonnes of waste produced by the industry each year. It is estimated that only around one third of Northern Ireland’s construction, demolition and excavation waste is currently reused or recycled. But … Read more
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has called for a new Plan for Ireland which looks ahead to 2030 – in a bid to create major jobs and infrastructure benefits and stem the haemorrhaging of young talent in the construction sector through emigration. Following the launch of its election manifesto Building a … Read more
Iconic landmarks such as the Pyramids at Giza in Egypt and The Pantheon in Rome bear witness to how lime has proven itself as a durable, useful and aesthetic construction material for thousands of years. In his book, ‘Lime Works – using lime in traditional & new buildings’, Irish master mason, Patrick McAfee writes comprehensively … Read more
Potential entrepreneurs in Cork who are interested in setting up in business using what someone else considers waste as raw materials, should attend at the Lifetime Lab in Cork City on Thursday 21st October from 10am to 12.45pm when rx3, a Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government initiative to rethink, recycle and remake … Read more
Cork-based bio-science energy company Kedco has been given clearance to commence construction of a €45 million waste-to-energy plant at Enfield in North London. Having recently received clearance from Enfield Council, Kedco is due to commence the 18 months construction project shortly. When completed, the new facility will convert 60,000 tonnes of waste wood a year … Read more
Ireland is leading the way in staging one of the first trade exhibitions at the world’s first carbon neutral convention centre. Plan Expo Green, takes place in the new Convention Centre Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday 2nd and 3rd November. A leading showcase for the built environment, Plan Expo Green at its new venue, will … Read more
Northern Ireland construction company the Graham Group has selected wood pellet ‘brites’, produced by Fermanagh-based Balcas, as the preferred fuel for its new 3,000 sq m eco-friendly headquarters outside Hilsborough in County Down. The new state-of-the-art sustainable building, which was recently awarded the highest BREEAM rating, includes a Hoval stand alone wood pellet heat source … Read more
The major shift within the Irish construction industry towards energy efficient building design is being acknowledged by a newly launched awards scheme. Building professionals including architects, engineers, builders and developers, across Ireland are being urged to submit entries to the Isover Energy Efficiency Awards (EEA), which recognise new and renovated buildings that have been built … Read more