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Airtightness: progress, but are we missing the point?

Airtightness: progress, but are we missing the point?

When I first became involved in shaping the airtightness requirements for Part L of the Building Regulations, the topic was treated as a specialist curiosity. Airtightness was often seen as a compliance hurdle rather than a fundamental element of energy efficiency, comfort, and building durability. Over the last two decades, the industry has come a long way. New homes are now tested, airtightness targets are clearly defined, and there is a growing supply chain of testers and products designed to make compliance achievable. In many respects, this is a positive story: UK homes are significantly more airtight than they were…
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Ventilation policy: A reflection on progress and the road ahead

Ventilation policy: A reflection on progress and the road ahead

I have worked in building performance for over 30 years, and since 2008 have been closely involved in shaping ventilation policy in England and Wales. Having contributed directly to the 2010 and 2021 editions of Approved Document F, I have seen first-hand how regulation has evolved to respond to tighter fabric standards and the drive to cut greenhouse gas emissions, lately net-zero. 2010: A step change The 2010 edition of AD F was the first to make an explicit connection between airtightness and ventilation system choice. The principle was clear: as buildings become tighter, reliance on infiltration is not acceptable.…
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CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2025

CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2025

Four Walls Consultants Director, Ian Mawditt, Appointed Judge for CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2025 We are delighted to announce that Ian Mawditt, Director of Four Walls Consultants, has been selected as a judge for the prestigious Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Building Performance Awards 2025. Ian's experience in building performance evaluation and commitment to sustainable building practices are among the reasons he has been appointed to the judging panel. Reflecting on this appointment, Ian said, "It's an honour to contribute to an institution that sets the benchmark for excellence in building performance and to be appointed among such…
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Our retrofit featured in CIBSE Retrofit Revisit Report

Our retrofit featured in CIBSE Retrofit Revisit Report

We're pleased to share Four Walls Consultants' involvement in the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Retrofit Revisit Report. This study revisits ten homes across the UK, including "Blaise Castle," the home of Four Walls director Ian Mawditt, to assess the long-term effectiveness of energy retrofit measures. The report highlights crucial findings that offer insights into improving energy performance and sustainability in residential properties. Key Findings of the Study The CIBSE study re-examined various retrofit strategies implemented over recent years to gauge their impact on energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and carbon reduction. It provided an insight into how these…
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Building for 2050 at Futurebuild 2022

Building for 2050 at Futurebuild 2022

The Building for 2050 team will be presenting their findings and launching the final film from the Building for 2050 project. The seminar will discuss how to accelerate large-scale construction and uptake of low carbon housing. 01 - 03 March 2022 - Futurebuild 2022 ExCeL, LondonTuesday 26 October 2021 - Project webinar - RegisterMore events to be announced  ​Futurebuild 2022 Stage 1, ExCeL London, South HallWednesday 2 March, 12.15-13.00Building for 2050: Accelerating the delivery of low carbon homes  Chair: Alison Crompton, Regional Director, Sustainability, Buildings + Places, AECOM Introduction: Roger Littlewood, Project Manager, SICE Team, BEIS Introduction to project and summary of the drivers and barriers for low…
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Approved Documents for Parts L, F and O 2021 now out

Approved Documents for Parts L, F and O 2021 now out

Four Walls Consultants have been working with AECOM over the last three years helping to provide strategic and technical support to DLUHC in its development of the changes to Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations and the introduction of Part O (overheating). The changes will significantly improve the energy efficiency of the buildings and are an important step on the pathway towards the government's Future Homes and Buildings Standards. Ian Mawditt at Fourwalls is the technical lead for the changes in Part F, and for the building fabric and airtightness aspects…
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Working with Oxford City Housing Ltd

Working with Oxford City Housing Ltd

Cambridge Energy is working with Oxford City Council's wholly-owned housing company, Oxford City Housing Ltd as Energy Quality Auditors to help them meet their minimum target of 70% improvement over current carbon emission reduction targets (Part L 2013). Four Walls are associates of Cambridge Energy, and Ian has been working alongside Dr Jason Palmer to help deliver this work. The Energy Quality Auditor role includes oversight of the design process at pre-planning all the way through construction. This means rigorous reviews of the design proposals, including energy models; construction stage site inspections and post-construction testing. Most developments are currently at…
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Fourwalls appointed on Building for 2050 research project

Fourwalls appointed on Building for 2050 research project

Fourwalls has been appointed as part of the team led by AECOM to support the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to help deliver ground-breaking research relating to low cost, low carbon new build housing: Building for 2050. Fourwalls will provide the Building Performance Evaluation element of this project, launched by the government this month. Led by Ian Mawditt, Fourwalls role will be to lead the post-construction performance testing and 12-month energy and comfort performance of the study properties. Fourwalls will be working with AECOM and other consultants Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects and Delta Energy & Environment to…
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UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings re-launches

UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings re-launches

On 20 October, the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB) hosted a successful re-launch event. Over a hundred experts joined the conference to hear about the UKCMB’s latest research outputs, videos and tools. UKCMB discussed plans for the new training programme and other upcoming activities. Ian Mawditt from fourwalls co-chairs the technical working group for ventilation, airtightness and moisture in buildings alongside Prof. Tim Sharpe from MEARU at GSA. Our TWG will be coordinating activities and scoping studies in this area soon. For further information about the re-launch and to see the presentations from the day, go to the…
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STBA-SPAB Conference 13th June, London

STBA-SPAB Conference 13th June, London

Register now for the STBA-SPAB Conference on 13 June 2017, which will be focusing on the sustainability of traditional buildings. This year the conference will explore a much broader agenda, based around three themes: Context relates to the existing regulatory and policy framework for the built environment, but also to our understanding of sustainability - as most current definitions fail to include health or heritage and thus lead to false oppositions and unintended consequences. Continuity highlights the importance of maintenance in achieving dry, healthy and functioning (i.e. sustainable) buildings, the recording and valuing of heritage on “low status” buildings, and reducing the…
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