Design for Performance: Supporting the decarbonisation of Ireland’s built environment

The RIAI and IGBC, supported by SEAI, are launching a new Design for Performance training programme. This course is designed for all actors across the construction and property sector, including clients, funders, assessors, design teams, specialist consultants, contractors, and facilities managers.

Course Aim

The course aims to build capacity within the industry to support the decarbonisation of Ireland’s built environment. It focuses on designing for performance to achieve EU and national environmental targets, including whole life carbon, energy performance, water use and indoor environmental quality.

By bringing together all stakeholders, from funding and briefing stages to post-occupancy, the course aligns ambitions, targets and delivery strategies through a collaborative framework.

Participants

Cross-disciplinary collaboration is central to delivering buildings that performance to the standard they are designed to. The training programme is aimed at key stakeholders, ranging from clients, funders, assessors, design teams and specialist consultants, general and specialist contractors,  to building users and facilities managers.

Course structure

• Three online sessions are delivered live to provide a flexible and accessible learning framework
• Each 3.5 hours training session delivers lecture type presentations to impart up-to-date and new knowledge to participants
• Case studies ground the learning activities in professional practice and daily work activities
• Post-lecture discussions (Q&A) allow participants to acquire a deeper understanding of the topic through interrogation
• Interactive learning activities provide opportunities where participants can reflect on new knowledge and skills
• Access to our RIAI Learn VLE for programme resources and project documentation

Delivery

Session 1: From Compliance to Performance – The Context for Change

This session introduces the shift from compliance-based to performance-based design in the built environment. It outlines the limitations of compliance-focused approaches and highlights the national and European policy drivers supporting performance-led practices. Participants will consider how aligning design processes with sustainability goals and green finance frameworks can support project viability and contribute to meeting climate targets.

• Date: Friday, 23 May 2025
• Time: 09.30 – 13.00
• Cost: Free
• CPD Points: 3.5 structured points

Session 2: Embedding Performance in Design – Principles in Action

This session examines how the core principles of the Design for Performance Framework can be integrated across project work stages. It presents a structured approach to setting early performance targets, applying tracking tools, and validating outcomes. The session draws on real-world case studies to demonstrate the practical application of these methods and their impact on design quality and project delivery.

• Date: Friday, 30 May 2025
• Time: 09.30 – 13.00
• Cost: Free
• CPD Points: 3.5 structured points

Session 3: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration and Implementation – Making It Work

This session focuses on the practical implementation of performance-led design through effective collaboration. It explores strategies for cross-disciplinary teamwork, procurement alignment, and defining roles and responsibilities within project teams. Participants will also examine how post-occupancy evaluation, continuous improvement, and the adaptation of Climate Challenge indicators can be incorporated into professional practice.

• Date: Friday, 6 June 2025
• Time: 09.30 – 13.00
• Cost: Free
• CPD Points: 3.5 structured points

Award

Participants who complete the training course will receive:

• A certificate of completion from the RIAI
• 10.5 Structured CPD Points