Explore every episode of the podcast Bringing Buildings Alive with CIBSE Ireland
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light: Beyond The Lux | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:43:32 | |
You can watch the full video episode of this conversation over on the CIBSE YouTube Channel. Lighting design is often reduced to basic illumination levels, ignoring the complex relationship between human perception, health, and the built environment. This narrow focus misses the opportunity to create spaces that truly support occupant well-being and productivity. This episode explores the critical shift from traditional illumination methods to modern, evidence-based lighting design. We discuss why a multidisciplinary approach is essential for high-performance buildings and how new metrics like Main Room Surface Excellence are changing how we define quality lighting. Professor Kevin Kelly, Emeritus at TU Dublin and past CIBSE President, joins us alongside Dr. James Duff, Associate Director at Arup, to break down the science of light. They discuss the urgent need to prioritize daylight and quality over sheer quantity, drawing on years of research to provide actionable insights for practitioners. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Defining the role of an independent lighting consultant. GUESTS DETAILS Professor Kevin Kelly is a Past President of SLL and CIBSE, a recipient of the CIBSE Gold Medal, and a Professor Emeritus at TU Dublin. He is a recognized authority on lighting research and education, having spent his career advancing the science and practice of lighting engineering. Dr. James Duff is an Associate Director at Arup and a leading expert in lighting design. With 17 years of experience, he specializes in the interaction between humans and daylight, focusing on design thinking and sensory exploration to create meaningful, high-performance environments. MORE INFORMATION CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering. Their mission is to invest in education and research, and to support their community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. Find out more: CIBSE Website Bringing Buildings Alive was produced by dustpod.io for CIBSE Ireland QUOTES Everything you see, you see, because it's illuminated, so you'll see nothing unless it's illuminated, whether it's by daylight or artificial light. - Kevin Kelly Lighting is interesting in that you get little fingerprint on very many things. - James Duff At best, I think lighting is undervalued, and at worst, I think there's an indifference to lighting. - Kevin Kelly It's so common to hear there's 200 lux, there's 100 lux, that's 300 lux towards something that's a little bit more holistic. - James Duff KEYWORDS #LightingDesign#HumanCentric#BuildingServices#DaylightDesign#LightingResearch | |||
| YEN Careers: Finding Your Engineering Career Fit | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:47:56 | |
Leaving university and entering the building services industry can bring a massive reality shock for new graduates. The structured world of academic theory often clashes with the unpredictable, problem-solving demands of real-world projects, whether in design, installation, or supply. This special YEN Careers episode tackles this crucial transition, sharing honest accounts of the early-career challenges, from imposter syndrome to closing technical knowledge gaps. The discussion highlights that success hinges on collaboration, embracing constant learning, and understanding the vital role of professional networking. Host Dylan Ryan, Chair of CIBSE Ireland YEN, is joined by Emma Hinch, Vice Chair and Package Manager for a data centre installer, and Sean McMahon, a Design and Consultant Engineer for a leading building service consultancy. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Daily life is constant problem solving GUEST DETAILS Emma Hinch is the Vice Chair of CIBSE Ireland YEN and works as a Package Manager for an installer of data centres. She is highly skilled in translating design into implementation, managing complex commissioning phases, and leveraging communication skills to solve on-site problems. Sean McMahon is a Design and Consultant Engineer for one of Ireland's top building service consultancies. His expertise lies in comprehensive tender pack design, achieving renewable energy targets, and managing design team/contractor communication MORE INFORMATION CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering. Their mission is to invest in education and research, and to support their community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. Find out more: CIBSE Website Bringing Buildings Alive was produced by dustpod.io for CIBSE Ireland QUOTES Invest in yourself as well as your studies, but to invest in your character as an engineer, like it's not all about the paperwork, trusting in yourself, trusting in what you know, but also giving yourself the time to learn. - Emma Hinch A lot of it is just problem solving on a day-to-day basis. - Sean McMahon You realise how much construction was dealing with people, as well as problems in the engineering side of it. - Emma Hinch it's really important to actually. Know who you're talking to and how to communicate properly to that person in order to get the job done correctly. - Sean McMahon KEYWORDS #BuildingServices #YoungEngineers #CareerProgression #NetworkingSkills #TakeRisks | |||
| From Design to Delivery: ESG in Engineering Decisions | 04 May 2026 | 00:39:26 | |
The pressure on the building services sector to demonstrate sustainability is higher than ever, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are moving out of the boardroom and onto the project site, showing up in daily engineering decisions. This shift means that design choices around energy, resources, and materials must now be transparently evidenced to meet new compliance and procurement requirements. The discussion dives into how ESG is intrinsically linked to the core competencies of Chartered Engineers—from lifecycle assessments (LCA) to understanding supply chain risk—and demystifies the complex landscape of global regulation like CSRD. You will hear how to integrate accountability and future-focused thinking into every stage of a building's life. Host Laura McMahon, Director of Sustainability at Lawler Group and Chair of CIBSE Ireland, is joined by Kayleigh-Ann Myles, Head of ESG at Lawler Sustainability. Kayleigh-Ann translates high-level ESG requirements into practical technical decisions for project teams. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT ESG is intrinsic to engineering work GUEST DETAILS Kayleigh-Ann Myles is the Head of ESG at Lawler Sustainability. She is an expert at translating high-level ESG requirements into practical technical decisions for engineers, designers, and contractors on live projects. Additionally, Kayleigh-Ann leads STPs (Save the Planet Society), a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap between formal, jargon-heavy academic sustainability literature and accessible, free content. MORE INFORMATION CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering. Their mission is to invest in education and research, and to support their community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. Find out more: CIBSE Website Bringing Buildings Alive was produced by dustpod.io for CIBSE Ireland QUOTES I think ESG, it's about competitive engineers making responsible and good decisions that really balance out the performance of a good building… - Kayleigh-Ann Myles ESG is already intrinsic to the work of engineers, so it is not something separate. - Kayleigh-Ann Myles Regulation is the main push. We know it's coming, it's absolutely there, and before we know it, it's going to be on our doorsteps. - Kayleigh-Ann Myles KEYWORDS #ESGEngineering #WholeLife #EmbodiedCarbon #CIBSEIreland #BuildingServices | |||
| Harmonising EU Lighting Regulations | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:43:47 | |
Achieving net zero targets requires decisive action on building performance, and lighting systems must evolve rapidly to keep pace. The mass transition to LED technology is necessary for significant energy savings, yet new challenges around sustainability, regulation enforcement, and design quality have emerged as the industry matures. This episode addresses the crucial legislative changes and industry standards that are shaping the future of lighting. We explore the push for smart, adaptable controls, the need for harmonised EU rules on light pollution, and the complex process of decarbonisation through new energy labelling and a focus on repairability. Joining us to discuss these vital topics are Elena Scaroni, Secretary General of Lighting Europe, and Dave Murphy, Current Chair of the Lighting Association of Ireland. They bring expert insight into the European market and the steps being taken to advocate for quality and sustainable lighting practices. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Lighting Europe advocates for EU policy priority. GUEST DETAILS Elena Scaroni is the Secretary General of Lighting Europe, the sole trade association representing the lighting manufacturing industry at a European level. Her organisation represents over 1,000 companies, providing the industry's voice to EU institutions and national authorities. Her achievements include finalising positions on Eco design and energy labelling regulations, promoting the value of quality lighting in legislation, and actively campaigning for the enforcement of rules against non-compliant online products. Dave Murphy is the Current Chair of the Lighting Association of Ireland. An ambassador for lighting that goes beyond illumination, he focuses on delivering technical sales solutions, such as smart lighting systems, to create greener and smarter living environments. His expertise includes leveraging analytics and creative thinking for end-to-end business delivery and, as Chairman of the LAI's technical committee, he is committed to increasing awareness of how lighting improves people's well-being indoors and outdoors PUBLIC CONTACT DETAILS ELENA: Website: www.lightingeurope.org PUBLIC CONTACT DETAILS Dave: Website:signify.com (Company) MORE INFORMATION CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering. Their mission is to invest in education and research, and to support their community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. Find out more: CIBSE Website Bringing Buildings Alive was produced by dustpod.io for CIBSE Ireland QUOTES So we also ask policy makers to make sure that they follow at least four basic principles, so that all light should have a clear purpose, and light is directed only where it's needed. - Elena Scaroni So always the mantra should start and finish with the right light in the right place at the right time. - Dave Murphy Lighting should not be brighter than necessary, and lighting should be adapted to suit task. - Elena Scaroni We need to ensure that those energy savings are done in the right way, without sacrificing good design, without sacrificing product safety, without sacrificing the many elements of proper engineering that follow around it. - Dave Murphy KEYWORDS #LightingEurope #LEDTransition #Sustainability #EPREL #BringingBuildingsAlive | |||
| Productivity Boost: AI In Building Services Engineering | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:42:00 | |
Organisations risk their future if they delay implementing an artificial intelligence strategy. The failure to engage with AI is the biggest mistake a company can make in the current business landscape. The pace of change means that companies not adapting risk being left behind in just three years. This rapid evolution is not just a technological shift; it is a fundamental change to everybody’s role, everywhere, all at once. In this episode, Paul Tighe and Maryrose Lyons discuss how to move businesses from non-users to adopters, focusing on end-to-end AI adoption, ethical considerations, and the emerging 'playbook' for success. They explore the necessity of starting the AI journey, mitigating risks like "Shadow AI," and looking ahead to the predicted rise of autonomous AI agents. They also share their favourite tools for engineering and learning. Their guest is Maryrose Lyons, founder of the AI Institute. Maryrose is an expert in helping businesses transition to using AI, specialising in training and building solutions for the process-rich built environment sector. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT AI is everything everywhere all at once. GUEST DETAILS Maryrose Lyons is the Founder of the AI Institute, Ireland and the UK's specialist AI adoption partner for the built environment. She works directly with construction, engineering, and architecture firms to embed AI into the way their people work - not just in theory, but in practice. To date, they've trained over 1,300 professionals across the sector, delivering measurable outcomes of 4+ hours saved per person per week. Maryrose combines deep expertise in human behaviour with hands-on technical implementation, helping firms move from AI curiosity to real competitive advantage. PUBLIC CONTACT DETAILS: Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryroselyons-aiadoption/ MORE INFORMATION CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering. Their mission is to invest in education and research, and to support their community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. Find out more: CIBSE Website Bringing Buildings Alive was produced by dustpod.io for CIBSE Ireland QUOTES Of your tribe of architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, construction architects are the most advanced in their use of AI. However, in company size, it's actually the mid size firms that are actually evolving and doing the best. - Maryrose Lyons You have to start your AI journey with AI literacy for your staff - Maryrose Lyons With AI, don't get hung up on what tool we are going to use? - Maryrose Lyons KEYWORDS #AIAdoption #BuiltEnvironment #EngineeringAI #AIStrategy #AIAgent | |||
| Digital Buildings: Process Not Product | 02 Feb 2026 | 00:41:27 | |
The move to smart buildings represents a fundamental shift in the construction and engineering industry. The core challenge is understanding how to deliver intelligent assets that genuinely serve their occupants and owners over the long term, moving past the idea that a smart building is merely a collection of advanced products. Success hinges on early, collaborative design, setting clear goals, and ensuring every disparate system can communicate effectively. This is the difference between a building that is 'smart' on paper and one that is intelligent in operation, with its true performance measured long after the ribbon is cut. The conversation explores the practical side of smart building delivery, highlighting why the definition of a "smart building" must be a process focused on user needs and data-driven outcomes. It details the necessity of developing common language standards, known as ontologies, and how the role of the MEP consultant must evolve to embrace this cohesive, data-centric view. Host Stephen Weir from Hereworks is joined by David Hegarty, Associate Director and Smart Buildings Lead at Arup, who shares his decade of experience delivering intelligent projects across Europe and his vision for the future of the built environment. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Smart building is process, not product GUEST DETAILS David Hegarty is an Associate Director and the Smart Buildings Lead at Arup. He specialises in integrated building systems, data science, and technology deployment in the built environment. David's experience spans delivering intelligent projects across Europe, focusing on the essential trifecta of value: building systems, technology, and people. PUBLIC CONTACT DETAILS: Social Media: MORE INFORMATION: CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering. Their mission is to invest in education and research, and to support their community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. Find out more: CIBSE Website Bringing Buildings Alive was produced by dustpod.io for CIBSE Ireland QUOTES A smart building is a process and not a product. It's a process to ultimately result in a building or an asset that's enabled to make data driven decision making ultimately yields the client's best interest. - David Hegarty KEYWORDS #SmartBuildings #MEPConsultant #BuildingServices #DataOntology #DigitalBuilding | |||
| Tallaght District Heating Success | 02 Feb 2026 | 00:32:21 | |
The Irish heat sector faces a monumental challenge to decarbonise, requiring innovative solutions to meet ambitious climate action targets. This is especially true for buildings, which traditionally rely on high-carbon heating systems. Discover how one extraordinary project is tackling this head-on by capturing unused heat from a data centre to supply low-carbon heating to a university campus, council offices, and 133 homes. This conversation details the technical ingenuity of the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, the essential public-private collaborations required, and the national policy that is now supporting the next wave of district heating networks across Ireland. We are joined by John O'Shea, the Heat and Electricity Lead at Codema, Dublin's energy agency. John brings expertise in district energy, energy master-planning, holistic and integrated energy systems, and policy development. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Tallaght waste heat to low-carbon solution GUEST DETAILS John O'Shea is the Heat and Electricity Lead at Codema, the energy agency for Dublin. He specialises in district energy, energy master-planning, holistic and integrated energy systems, and policy development. John was instrumental in the delivery of the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, which uses waste heat from a data centre to supply low-carbon heating.
https://www.codema.ie/about-us/contact-us/ linkedin.com/in/john-o-shea-47a906b8 MORE INFORMATION CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering. Their mission is to invest in education and research, and to support their community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. Find out more: CIBSE Website Bringing Buildings Alive was produced by dustpod.io for CIBSE Ireland QUOTES When you're trying to do anything that hasn't been done before, there's probably a fear that might not work out, or why hasn't it been done before? Is there something we're missing? But I guess we've proven now that it can be done. - John O'Shea KEYWORDS #DistrictHeating #TallaghtScheme #WasteHeat #Codema #ClimateAction | |||
| Trailer | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:01:15 | |
Bringing Buildings Alive, the new flagship podcast from CIBSE Ireland, is your monthly tactical briefing on the future of our profession. New episodes each month will give you;
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