Last month, we were lucky enough to join in with some retrofit workshops at Abingdon and Witney College. These sessions, organised by Michael Huth at the Net Zero Skills Hub, are a great initiative aiming to upskill construction professionals in the practicalities of retrofit – and we can heartily recommend them. The sessions we attended covered best practice methods for installing insulation and ensuring airtightness on roofs and suspended timber floors; airtight sealing of windows; and a look at the importance of moisture management in retrofit.
Expertly led by Dave Judd of Ecological Building Systems, the workshops included a chance to get some hands-on experience on the training rigs provided by Lambert Home Builds. We had a go at installing hemp insulation, taping up airtightness layers, and sealing in windows – a nice change from sitting at our desks drawing them, or watching other people doing it on site. It was the application of the multifarious tapes that proved trickiest for us!
If you’re interested in learning more about retrofit check out the Net Zero Skills Hub for more sessions. And if you’re looking for retrofit specialists to provide help and guidance with a project, contact us to learn more about our architects’ services.