Talk: Healthy Homes in a Net Zero Transition
About this Event
Date: Monday 19th October 2026 from 5.30 pm
Speakers:
- Professor Rajat Gupta at Oxford Brookes on Air Quality - Professor of Sustainable Architecture and Climate Change, Director of OIS
- Jason Ratcliffe, The Wellbeing Surveyor
- Richard Williams, Senior Architectural Development Manager, VELUX
- tbc
Title: 'Healthy Homes in a Net Zero Transition' : Panel Discussion with 4 speakers and Q&A
Venue: John Henry Brookes Building, Oxford Brookes University Headington Campus
Refreshments will be available from 5.30pm
Organizers: RIBA Oxfordshire with OxArch Student Architecture Society of Oxford Brookes University School of Architecture
Overview
As the UK accelerates towards net zero, millions of homes are being upgraded with improved insulation, airtightness, and low-carbon technologies. But how do these changes affect the people living inside them?
This evening brings together leading researchers and practitioners to explore the relationship between energy retrofit, indoor environmental quality, and human health. Through short presentations and an open panel discussion, speakers will examine the real-world implications of the net zero transition for housing, drawing on empirical research, building performance evaluation, and frontline surveying practice.
From the retrofit paradox to thermal comfort in historic buildings, the evening will offer practical insight for architects, sustainability specialists, surveyors, and anyone involved in shaping the homes of tomorrow.
Following the presentations, speakers will be joined by a representative from VELUX for a facilitated panel discussion exploring the intersection of healthy buildings, retrofit, and net zero design. The audience will be invited to put questions to the panel.
Supported by VELUX. Organised by the Oxfordshire RIBA Committee.
Links
tps://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/news/news-from-2025/06/ends-power-list
tps://www.velux.co.uk
tps://www.homehealthexpert.co.uk
Sponsors: With support from RIBA LIF
Thanks to support from Imperial Bricks sponsor of RIBA Oxfordshire events 2024-2025
Professor Rajat Gupta is Professor of Sustainable Architecture and Climate Change and Director of the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development at Oxford Brookes University. He leads major UK research on low-carbon buildings, indoor environmental quality, and climate resilience, including the UKRI-funded £7.4 million HEARTH (National Research Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat) programme, which investigates the health impacts and co-benefits of the transition to net zero in the context of extreme heat, with a focus on vulnerable populations and settings. He is also Co-Lead of the £7.3 million UKRI-funded Indoor Habitability during the Transition to Net Zero Housing Hub (INHABIT). His work focuses on evaluating real-world building performance, heat resilience, and the health impacts of retrofit.
The event will be introduced by Izabela Zoryk‑Tuvey Senior Architect at Holland Green and RIBA Oxfordshire Committee member
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Ox Arch
The Oxford Architecture Society is the beating heart of the student community of the Oxford School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University. Whether you're an undergraduate or postgraduate student; studying architecture, interior architecture or one of the umpteen masters on offer at our school; staff, graduate, or work in one of the many architectural practices in Oxfordshire; we're the society for you. We have an amazing series of events, socials, lectures, competitions, workshops and sports events lined up for the next year and can't wait to unveil our full programme.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00 to GBP 8.83
