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In response to the need for more sustainable construction, new concepts, phrases, terms and expressions are being used in the construction industry across Europe. These concepts are aimed at improving the environmental, social and economic impact of the industry and its outputs. From Air Source Heat Pumps to Zero Carbon Homes; from Whole Life Costing to Photovoltaic Electricity; from Recycled Materials to Passive House, it is important that the industry reaches a common understanding of these terms – to speak a common language for sustainable construction - in order to provide a base for harmonised development in the future.
The European Concrete Platform (ECP) working together with the Architects Council of Europe (ACEi) believed it valuable to gather together these terms and establish a ‘working’ glossary of the concepts currently in use in a concise, easily accessible form. This can then be used to disseminate information about sustainable construction more widely across the industry. The glossary is designed to provide ready access - with guidance on:
It is divided into sections based on the construction process – from concept, through design and construction to facilities management; and includes groupings around energy efficiency in buildings and systems.
In order to obtain contributions from the widest possible network of experts in the field a Wiki consultation was launched in October 2009, which ran until 10 January 2010. The results of the Wiki were presented during the EU Sustainalble Energy Week, on 24 March 2010. Click here for more information.
The final glossary is available from here.
The European Economic and Social Committee has also become actively involved in the project by translating the glossary into all the official EU languages and publishing a book containg the English, French, German and Spanish versions. The book was launched in April 2011 and the other languages will be available in an electronic format in Autumn 2011.
Click here to download the publication in English, French, German and Spanish
The glossary has also been uploaded into the EU's InterActive Terminology for Europe database (IATE).
The European Commission has also expressed an interest in the project, and have been kept informed throughout.
For full information on the project and to take part in the Wiki, go to: www.sccommonlanguage.eu or contact Jessica Johnson
The partners are, nevertheless, aware that, in this huge undertaking, there will be inaccuracies and improvements which could be made. In the event of any suggestions, readers are therefore invited to make precise comments in preparation for future updates. These should be sent to Jessica Johnson.
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