November 2023 | Teal speaking at PWTAG Annual Conference

This month, Stephen will join professionals from across the UK swimming pools industry and share his experiences in delivering low carbon aquatics facilities.

"I'm excited by this year's conference theme 'The Sustainable Pool',  and the opportunity to inspire others to achieve even better carbon outcomes", said Stephen.  "What excites me the most though is the depth of knowledge within the PWTAG membership - this is a group of deep domain experts who have the potential to lead a step change in energy performance for this sector". 

Click the link to visit the PWTAG website for more details and to book your place.

October 2023 | St Sidwell's Point Passivhaus certified

Since St Sidwell's Point was handed over in April 2022, the Passivhaus Institute has been working closely with Exeter City Council and their operator team to optimise the operation of the building. 

As the certifier for the project, the Passivhaus Institute have monitored the building since completion and critically assessed its performance to ensure that it meets the stringent energy performance requirements to qualify for the coveted Passivhaus plaque.

We are delighted to share that the wait is over and that St Sidwell's Point has become the UK's first Passivhaus Leisure Centre.  May this be the first of many, and may we see this ground-breaking building inspire many others to deliver a new generation of low carbon aquatics facilities.

July 2023 | Aquatics Experts gathered in Australia to share best practice in low carbon swimming facilities

Teal Director, Stephen Platt joined a host of experts from across Australia and New Zealand to share his experiences from leading the engineering design for St Sidwell's Point, the UK's first Passivhaus Leisure Centre.

Alongside the main events in Sydney and Melbourne, attendees were offered the opportunity for a more in depth discussion with Stephen and with Nick Yannakis of Beca, during private consultation sessions arranged by the event organisers.  Meetings were held with three councils which allowed these clients to draw deeper on Stephen and Nick's experience and help shape the future development plans of these districts.

Stephen wrapped up the discussion, leaving the delegates with three key takeaways concerning the delivery of low carbon Aquatics facilities: 

"1. It is achievable - it's been done in the UK and all of the learning is transferrable

2. It's not rocket science - Getting swimming pools right is about doing a lot of simple things well, but you need to make sure you have an experienced team that knows all the things they need to get right!

3. It's fun! Delivering industry-changing design and innovation requires skill, experience, hard work and commitment, but the journey to excellence is fulfilling and inspiring."

June 2023 | Teal Consultancy speaks at IAKS Spring Seminar

Stephen appeared 15th June 2023 with a panel of guest speakers at the IAKS Spring Seminar which was held at Ravelin Sports Centre in Portsmouth.

Ravelin Sports Centre is a new BREEAM outstanding sports facility designed by Faulkner Brown Architects for the University of Portsmouth.

Stephen was joined by Nic Bryant of Space + Place and shared stories and experiences from the delivery of St Sidwell's Point, the UK's first Passivhaus Leisure Centre.

Stephen's seminar focused on the importance of fundamental low carbon / low energy principles in achieving net zero leisure facilities. Other topics at the conference included:

• The use of Passivhaus in leisure buildings
  
• The implications of BREEAM Outstanding certification,
  
• Assessment of the embodied carbon and implications of the new Part Z of the UK Building Regulations,
  
• Decarbonisation of existing buildings
  
• Application of the Circular Economy
  

Click the link below to visit the IAKS website for more details.