This event will considered the current position on the low carbon agenda and the possible effects of the recent changes to the definition of Zero Carbon Homes brought about by the 2011 budget, as well as considering lessons which can be learned from Germany.

Since his recent retirement from a career as an Architect predominately in social housing, David has maintained his interest in the technology and politics of Low Carbon Housing.

He attended the 14th Annual Passivhaus conference in Dresden last year, and organised a study tour to Germany on behalf of Midlands Architecture and the Designed Environment as part of the West Midlands Skills for Climate Change programme.

David discussed:

• The governments carbon reduction commitments
• The importance in dealing with the existing
• housing stock to meet these targets
• The scale of the problem
• Policies the government has in place to address this (FITS, green new deal, etc.)
• A judgment as to whether they will be effective in meeting the target
• The number of advisory bodies in this area and their roles and responsibilities.
• What is the way forward?

Rob has been with Axis Design since 1998 and has been involved in numerous housing, masterplanning, consultation, design led projects. Recent roles include: project architect for the highly regarded Brandwood End housing in Birmingham; designing innovative eco-friendly housing in Stourbridge; extensive consultation and masterplanning exercises for the Stoke on Trent Pathfinder; tackling progressive, energy efficient refurb projects in Newcastle-Under-Lyme; designing new housing for Birmingham's Municipal Housing Trust and developing innovative online solutions for both clients and residents. By taking part in the national be2camp.com network he has been helping to bring the construction industry and the field of innovative digital creativity together. When time permits he tutors at Birmingham School of Architecture and takes an active part in the UK's architectural blogging scene via his personal web site no2self.net as well as writing on behalf of Building Design's housing blog.