At Bryden Wood, engineers are key members of integrated teams and work closely with architects, computational designers, data analysts and mathematical modellers.

This is due to the lack of ventilation, cooking, the use of chemicals for cleaning and emissions from construction materials and furniture, which cause an increase in the density of pollutants.The range of measures to improve indoor air quality and hygiene is quite wide.

Primary prevention measures should include the selection of non-toxic materials, products with low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), furnishings without fire retardants and cleaning products without harmful chemicals..In areas with potentially high pollution levels, the adoption of adequate monitoring is recommended, combined with air filtration systems (HEPA filters for PM2.5 particles, carbon filters for VOCs and UV light filter for airborne pathogens)..Measures to improve hygiene and reduce the transmission of pathogens include the adoption of touchless technology (light switches, lift buttons, doors), antiviral coatings and the provision of hand sanitiser dispensers.

Attenuation measures include the provision of openable windows, increased fresh air rates and avoiding air recirculation..Balancing improvements to air quality and energy efficiency..

Some of the recommendations widely accepted in the industry for the re-occupation of buildings post-pandemic have a direct impact on energy efficiency.

In order to improve indoor air quality and reduce the likelihood of pathogens, fresh air rates need to be increased and air filters should be installed.Good for everybody,” she says.. To illustrate, Marks mentions that she once worked on a billion-dollar hospital project, originally planned with over 700 different types of bathroom.

The situation wasn’t beneficial for anyone involved, she says, and wasn’t sensible from either a build or operational perspective.Ultimately, her team whittled the final total down to a mere seven types - a change that worked better on every level of the project.. Talking transformation: ‘Industrialised Construction’ & ‘MMC.’.

One of the challenges we’re facing is that, on a very basic level, the construction industry has an issue with language.Terms lose their meaning, or are used to mean different things by different people, Marks says.