Meet The Team – Oliver

After finishing university last year, Oliver joined EDC in June and quickly picked up the fundamentals of Passivhaus. In our latest ‘Meet the Team’ we find what interests and inspires him and what he’d like to be doing in the future.

What made you want to join EDC?

EDC has provided me with a unique opportunity to apply my BEng degree to assist in developing low-energy buildings. This motivation stems from the implications of the climate crisis and the need for practical, sustainable solutions that can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the biggest/most important thing you’ve learnt in your time at EDC?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned at EDC is the importance of communication skills in a team setting. Communication is essential for ensuring clarity, collaboration, and efficiency in any project.

What part of the design process are you particularly passionate about?

I like to optimise a building’s performance and explore the changes needed to meet the standards of AECB, EnerPHit, or Passivhaus certification using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP). PHPP is a design tool that calculates the energy demand and carbon emissions of a building based on various factors. To reduce the energy demand, many different techniques can be used but require careful considerations to ensure that they are viable and desirable.

Who inspires you (personally or professionally)?

I have many inspirational people in my life, but especially my brother. He has introduced me to the world of sustainable architecture and taught me many different life skills. He also shown me the value of making a positive impact on society.

What type of projects would you like to be working on in 5 years’ time?

My aspiration for the next five years is to help design low-energy social housing that meets one of the Passivhaus standards. I believe that this approach can create affordable and comfortable homes for people, whilst also reducing carbon emissions and energy bills.