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CaféScientifique is a nationwide network of groups for the informal discussion of scientific issues

The next meeting is on Tuesday14 March 2023
at 7.00pm at Eagle House Hotel 3, Castle Street,
Launceston PL15 8BA

Professor Prof Steve Goodhew PhD MSc FRICS FCIOB CEnv
Associate Head of School (Research), Art, Design & Architecture
University of Plymouth

“The CobBauge Project: Ultra-Low Carbon Buildings”

Professor Goodhew researches sustainable and energy efficient communities and buildings, particularly assessing the credentials of schemes and those linked to existing/historic buildings. He is also directly involved in low-embodied-carbon materials the thermal properties of construction materials and thermographic infra-red imaging. As Principal Investigator of the €4million-funded CobBauge project ,he leads a team of researchers who aim to reduce the amount of carbon emissions created by the building sector. A winner of the 2019 RegioStar Award, the project has created a unique double-layered wall that optimises cob as a sustainable building material. It is now being used in the construction of a new ‘living lab’ building on the University campus.

Professor Goodhew was also a team member of one of the first studies to ascertain the thermal influence on living wall systems on existing building temperature scenarios. Part of the Low Carbon Devon project, these findings could be a game-changer in helping the UK achieve its net-zero commitments by reducing greenhouse gas emissions directly created by buildings. His extensive expertise in thermography is also supporting the UK's ambitious efficiency targets. The Defect visualisation via Thermography project uses thermal imaging to identify defects in the building and maintenance of buildings, with the aim for this to be a core component of the construction process.

The talk reviews the drivers for optimising earth building materials in light of the energy-based challenges we currently face. It offers solutions to the perennial issues that most forms of vernacular architecture face under pressure from regulations and guidelines. Finally some early-stage results from the analysis of the University of Plymouth's CobBauge building's performance are presented

CobBauge is a WINNER in category 2 of the RegioStars 2019

Recent book available for order:
Sustainable Construction Processes: A Resource Text (Wiley-Blackwell)
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-140518759X.html

Lead Partner for the CobBauge Project
Website: http://www.cobbauge.eu/en/cobbauge-2/