This hands-on training course offers a practical introduction to building physics, helping learners understand how core construction products function and how to use them effectively. Delivered using bespoke training rigs developed by BE-ST, the course bridges a critical knowledge gap in the industry and equips participants with widely transferable skills.

Participants will gain insight into:

• Insulation: Understand how different insulation materials perform thermally, and how their placement and installation impact overall building efficiency.

• Airtightness Tapes: Learn the physics behind air movement in buildings and how airtightness tapes contribute to reducing heat loss and improving energy performance.

• Membranes: Explore the role of breather membranes and vapour control layers in managing moisture, preventing condensation, and protecting building fabric.

Perfect for those new to construction or looking to strengthen their technical foundation, this course combines theory with hands-on experience to build confidence and competence in building performance.

This hands-on training course offers a practical introduction to building physics, helping learners understand how core construction products function and how to use them effectively. Delivered using bespoke training rigs developed by BE-ST, the course bridges a critical knowledge gap in the industry and equips participants with widely transferable skills.

Participants will gain insight into:

• Insulation: Understand how different insulation materials perform thermally, and how their placement and installation impact overall building efficiency.

• Airtightness Tapes: Learn the physics behind air movement in buildings and how airtightness tapes contribute to reducing heat loss and improving energy performance.

• Membranes: Explore the role of breather membranes and vapour control layers in managing moisture, preventing condensation, and protecting building fabric.

Perfect for those new to construction or looking to strengthen their technical foundation, this course combines theory with hands-on experience to build confidence and competence in building performance.

This hands-on training course offers a practical introduction to building physics, helping learners understand how core construction products function and how to use them effectively. Delivered using bespoke training rigs developed by BE-ST, the course bridges a critical knowledge gap in the industry and equips participants with widely transferable skills.

Participants will gain insight into:

• Insulation: Understand how different insulation materials perform thermally, and how their placement and installation impact overall building efficiency.

• Airtightness Tapes: Learn the physics behind air movement in buildings and how airtightness tapes contribute to reducing heat loss and improving energy performance.

• Membranes: Explore the role of breather membranes and vapour control layers in managing moisture, preventing condensation, and protecting building fabric.

Perfect for those new to construction or looking to strengthen their technical foundation, this course combines theory with hands-on experience to build confidence and competence in building performance.

On 9 December, we are bringing together organisations from across Scotland’s built environment to help shape the development of a dedicated, industry-led Built Environment Cluster. This session at BE-ST marks the start of a wider engagement process to ensure that any future cluster reflects the real needs, priorities and opportunities within our sector.

What is a Cluster?

The Scottish Government’s  Blueprint for Developing Clusters makes clear that Scotland’s Built Environment sector has a significant opportunity to form a nationally recognised, industry-led cluster capable of driving innovation, investment and economic impact. The intent is to bring together contractors, manufacturers, designers, digital specialists, academia, policymakers and supporting organisations into a coordinated ecosystem that can share knowledge, align priorities and accelerate Scotland’s transition to low-carbon, high-productivity construction.

The Blueprint emphasises the need for clear leadership, strong governance and an evidence-based understanding of the sector’s strengths and gaps, ensuring that any future cluster is industry-driven and positioned for international competitiveness.

For the Built Environment, this means creating the critical mass and collaborative structure required to attract funding, develop new markets, build skills, and enhance Scotland’s global profile while delivering environmental and social value across communities.

What is this event for?

The aim of the event and our engagement activity is to validate and build on the research already completed to map Scotland’s construction ecosystem, and to understand where industry believes the greatest potential lies. We are particularly interested in the four areas that continue to define Scotland’s transition:

• Advanced materials

• Low-carbon construction

• Retrofit and refurbishment - including heat and energy-storage solution

• Digital and data.

Who is this event for?

This workshop is an invitation for contractors, manufacturers, designers, technology providers and supporting organisations to contribute their insight. We want an honest picture of Scotland’s current readiness for coordinated cluster activity, the barriers that limit progress, and the opportunities where targeted investment from government and enterprise agencies could have the greatest economic and social impact.

By bringing together industry, academia, policymakers, and non-government partners, we have an opportunity to establish a shared framework that supports innovation, attracts funding, strengthens supply chains and helps Scotland grow its built-environment capabilities—whether through increased export potential or by reducing reliance on imported solutions.

The 9 December workshop will take place in person, with further online engagement, interviews and questionnaires available for those unable to attend. Broad participation is essential. The more perspectives we capture, the stronger and more representative the recommendations will be.

To stay updated, please register your interest here.

Date: 9th December 2025

Time: 9am - 1pm

Location: BE-ST Innovation Campus

Join us at this practical upskilling event to learn how to make your community building more sustainable. This event has been designed to inspire and empower community representatives, providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to start their building refurbishment journey.

Experts from Energy Saving Trust (EST) and Built Environment Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) will share guidance and advice to help you successfully improve and future-proof your community building.

You will learn about the basics of assessing your building and exploring different ways to make it more energy-efficient and sustainable. Through case studies and interactive workshops, you will gain practical insights and skills to help you move forward with your project.

The event will include:

• Introduction theory and case studies

• Q&A with experts from EST and BE-ST

• Practical workshops on insulation and retrofit measures

• Networking Lunch

How do we retrofit existing buildings in ways that truly last—both structurally and sustainably? Join us for a focused panel discussion on best practices in building retrofits that reduce environmental impact, support long-term use, and meet the evolving demands of modern life.

Our expert panel—Karen Pickering (University of Edinburgh), Anthony Newman (MLA), and Rob Morrison (BE-ST)—brings together academic insight, architectural experience, and innovation in sustainable construction. Chaired by Sara Seravalli (Il Salotto), the conversation will explore practical approaches to upgrading buildings while respecting their original fabric, enhancing energy performance, and preparing them for decades of continued use.

Whether you’re involved in architecture, urban design, sustainability, or policy, this session will offer grounded strategies, fresh perspectives, and lessons from the field.

The panel will be followed by an informal networking session with drinks—an opportunity to connect, share ideas, and continue the conversation.

At BE-ST Fest in November 2024, we hosted a Retrofit Scotland engagement workshop, gathering over 50 participants to answer a key question:

How can Retrofit Scotland support your work and accelerate retrofit in Scotland?

Their insights have shaped our focus areas, and this first Retrofit Together Day will provide updates on key initiatives from our partners. The presentation will be followed by a workshop to discuss and provide feedback on how we might shape the outcomes to create most impact.

Presentations:

• Lori McElroy, Professor of Smart, Resilient Cities, University of Strathclyde

• Lori was a founding partner of Retrofit Scotland when it was first established by 2020 Built Environment Group in 2013. Lori will give some historic context to Retrofit Scotland and the opportunities the renewed platform will provide for sharing best practice via the new Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings, where she is leading on research into Occupant Needs & Behaviour.   There will be funding opportunities for projects via the centre, and the session will provide updates on process and timescales. 

• Sara Edmonds, Co-Director, The National Retrofit Hub

• With deep expertise in collaborative retrofit initiatives, Sara will present Retrofit Connect, a new initiative from the National Retrofit Hub to build a support programme for community led retrofit organisations and projects, and the project that will test this initiative, the Street Demonstrator Project with Civic Square. The project is developing a cohort of place-based community-led retrofit initiatives to share learning and opportunities to up-scale impact.

• Hanna Lundström, Impact Manager, BE-ST

• Hanna will share insights from a partnership with Energy Systems Catapult and York City Council to establish a retrofit one-stop-shop. Hanna will discuss the open-source training materials that are being created and will be made available to support similar efforts through Retrofit Scotland.  

• Rob Morrison, Impact Manager, BE-ST

• Rob is leading a Scottish Enterprise-funded project mapping Scotland’s retrofit and energy efficiency sector, with plans to develop a retrofit marketplace on the Retrofit Scotland website. There will be an opportunity for discussion and feedback how this can create the most value for the community of people working across retrofit and energy efficiency.

Format:

• 13.45 - 14.05: Registration

• 14.05 - 14.15: Welcome & House keeping – Sara

• 14.15 - 15.00: Talks (max 10 minutes each..)

• 15.00 - 15.30: A panel discussion with all speakers with facilitated questions

• 15.30 - 15.45: Tea & cake break  

• 15.45 - 16.30: Table discussions - focus on the areas of focus outlined via the presentations 

• 16.30 - 16.45: Table summary – 5 mins by each table facilitator  

• 16.45 - 16.55: Closing remarks and next steps

Project partners

This event is supported via the new Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB). 

It is part of a longer-term programme of stakeholder engagement events that will be produced by BE-ST and other project partners. Find out more about CeNZ-HighDB.