
Blogs
Stories, updates and interviews as we progress towards a smarter transformation in the built environment.
Category
- A-Z Award Winner 12
- A-Z Postgraduate Scholarship 2
- Circular Economy 3
- Digital 5
- ED&I 2
- Energy efficiency 8
- Homegrown Timber 6
- Housing 5
- Innovation 4
- Local value add 1
- Modern Methods of Construction 6
- Offsite manufacturing 10
- Passivhaus 7
- Retrofit 13
- Robotics 2
- Skills 5
- Sustainable Materials 7
- The Circular and Sustainable Materials Accelerator 4
- Upskilling 8
Lessons from the UK’s First EnerPhit School Refurbishment
Fleming, on behalf of East Ayrshire Council, has completed work on the UK’s first EnerPHit-certified school refurbishment: St. Sophia’s Primary, Galston. But what does this mean for the overall landscape in construction, and how will others benefit?
Collaborating for a zero carbon future: Professor Sean Smith, 2024 BE-ST Beacon Award Winner
Sean Smith, Professor of Future Construction and Director of the Centre for Future Infrastructure within the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, was awarded the BE-ST Beacon Award in 2024. He joined us recently to reflect on the future of buildings and the built environment in Scotland.
Emily Carr, BE-ST Beacon Winner: Driving change through EDI and skills
As a Senior Design Manager at Kier, Beacon Award winner, and former Built Environment Change Maker, Emily Carr has become a driving force for systemic change in the industry - especially when it comes to equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and skills development.
Accelerate to Zero Beacon: Robert Hairstans, Edinburgh Napier University & NMITE
Robert has been a leading figure in timber innovation and off-site construction throughout his career which spans both academia and industry.
The Benefits of Training in Mass Timber
Scottish pioneer of mass timber says mass timber systems offer new possibilities and opportunities in design and construction.
Accelerate to Zero Beacon: Gina Colley, Threesixty Architecture
Gina Colley is an Architect and Associate Director at Threesixty Architecture. She believes inclusive design should be at the core of a just transition to net zero which creates spaces that are affordable, accessible, and considerate of all people.
Importance of a solid retrofit strategy - Beattie in ALCHEMAI
Beattie is a building performance expert with extensive experience in Passivhaus design. They specialise in creating retrofit strategies for challenging buildings, including historic and listed properties such as town halls and other public buildings.
Creating a retrofit digital twin - Elemental Power in ALCHEMAI
Elemental Power specialises in developing digital twins for local energy systems, a technology that combines technical and economic modelling to simulate and optimise energy usage in non-domestic settings.
Inside the commercial pilot site - RE24 in ALCHEMAI
RE24 is playing a vital role in the ALCHEMAI project, focusing on providing energy solutions and analysis for non-domestic retrofitting. Their main focus is on one of the pilot sites that is located outside the main Bassetlaw Council District sites – a commercial building in Wales.
Changemaker spotlight: Zarja Krevelj, a pioneer of homegrown mass timber
Meet Zarja Krevelj, one of our change makers. She is working as an Architectural Technologist at HLM Architects, chair of the Sustainability Subgroup within the Change Makers, and was an early pioneer in the homegrown mass timber movement at Edinburgh Napier University.
The value of sensory equipment for retrofit - Atamate in ALCHEMAI
Atamate provides an advanced building management system that is data-driven, wireless, and easy to install, requiring only standard electricians.
The BE-ST of 2024: 10 milestones from a transformative year
As 2024 comes to a close, we at BE-ST are reflecting on an incredible year filled with impactful projects, partnerships, and platforms.
Drones and building visualisation for retrofit - Holosphere in ALCHEMAI
Holosphere’s primary role in the ALCHEMAI project is as a software developer and visualiser, using their expertise to build the user interface for a retrofit planning tool that will improve understanding of non-domestic buildings – a key output of the ALCHEMAI project. Holosphere also conducted data capture through drones and thermal imaging to create 3D models.
Why choose a whole building retrofit approach?
The original aim and initial driver of the retrofit of Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre was to replace the existing gas-based heating system with a zero direct emissions heating system.
Paisley Town Hall: A Historic Venue for BE-ST Fest
We are proud to host BE-ST Fest at this iconic, grade A-listed building with deep historical roots. Before its renovation, the surrounding community was losing out on the full potential of the space.
Key Scottish construction achievements in 10 years
What are some of the ten greatest achievements in the Scottish construction sector over the past decade, that deserve recognition for their economic, social, sustainable, and cultural impact on society at large?
Accelerate to Zero Podcast: Changing the narrative around retrofit adoption
Throughout the series, we’ll spotlight each of the six working groups within the National Retrofit Hub, featuring various guest speakers and innovators from across the UK retrofit sector.
Accelerate to Zero Podcast: Developing retrofit skills with empathy and inclusivity
Throughout the series, we’ll spotlight each of the six working groups within the National Retrofit Hub, featuring various guest speakers and innovators from across the UK retrofit sector.
Accelerate to Zero Podcast: Delivering retrofit at scale
Throughout the series, we’ll spotlight each of the six working groups within the National Retrofit Hub, featuring various guest speakers and innovators from across the UK retrofit sector.
Accelerate to Zero Podcast: How to finance retrofit
Throughout the series, we’ll spotlight each of the six working groups within the National Retrofit Hub, featuring various guest speakers and innovators from across the UK retrofit sector.