Net-zero structural design

Course dates

Thursday 18 April, 09:30 - 11:30 BST
Thursday 25 April, 09:30 - 11:30 BST
Thursday 2 May, 09:30 - 11:30 BST
Thursday 9 May, 09:30 - 11:30 BST
Thursday 16 May, 09:30 - 11:30 BST

Sessions

Session 1 - Exploring overarching concepts related to net-zero. 
On completion of this session the participants will be able to:

• Describe big picture concepts such as the UN SDGs, doughnut economics, the Glasgow Climate Pact, key aspects called for by the IPCC, and the necessary paradigm shift.

• Dispel common distractions around: population growth, ‘green growth’, efficiency improvements and carbon capture technologies.

• Use the IStructE ‘Net Zero Hierarchy’ to explain how to achieve net-zero on a construction project.

Session 2 - Exploring how emissions can be reduced through material specification. 
On completion of this session the participants will be able to:

• Describe the limitations of material specifications within net-zero design.

• Explain what’s expected to happen in terms of decarbonising structural materials.

• When working with new materials, identify the key questions that need to be answered to enable their use.

 
Session 3 - Exploring the role of the brief and idea generation in net-zero. 
On completion of this session the participants will be able to:

• Describe the role that the brief has in limiting or enabling net-zero design.

• Ask questions to challenge the brief.

• Use idea generation techniques to respond to the brief.

 
Session 4 - Exploring how to assess and compare design options against one another as part of a net-zero design process. 
On completion of this session the participants will be able to:

• Identify metrics to assess the quality of an idea, and suggest tests for those metrics.

• Perform quick calculations to assess the carbon impact of their options.

• Explain the approach to, and limitations of, carbon offsetting.

 
Session 5 - Exploring the role of advocacy to achieve wider net-zero outcomes. 
On completion of this session the participants will be able to:

• Use influencing techniques to advocate for net zero design.

• Refine a low-carbon design to respond to other drivers such as: safety, circularity, resilience, and the needs of other disciplines.

• Agree a set of personal ‘next steps’ applying net zero design in their practice.

Intended for

• Mid-career engineer

• Senior engineers/Team leader/Manager

Entry criteria 

Must have completed the Embodied Carbon Basics on-demand course

Trainers

Will Arnold

Will Arnold is Head of Climate Action at the IStructE. He leads the Institution’s response to the climate emergency, bringing this action into all aspects of the organisation's work including the publication of best practice emergency guidance. Prior to his current role, he was a practising structural engineer at Arup for over ten years. He sits on the Structural Awards judging panel and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Group for The Structural Engineer.

Oliver Broadbent

Oliver Broadbent is the founder and director of Constructivist. He works with leaders, teams and organisations to help them build their skills in design, creativity and regenerative thinking. He is 1851 Fellow in Regenerative Design, and was awarded the Sir Misha Black Award for Innovation in Design Education in 2020.