RIAI Environmental Induction Course (EIC) - Iteration 2 2025

We are pleased to present the next iteration of the RIAI Environmental Induction Course (EIC), leading to RIAI Environmental Accreditation which acknowledges the increasingly sophisticated levels of ability Members may have in sustainable design. The course will be delivered live and online by leading experts in the field of sustainable design on Thursday and Friday mornings, starting Thursday, 16 October 2025.

Course Information

This is a new course designed for RIAI Members which aims to provide candidates with greater awareness, knowledge and understanding of key concepts and techniques of sustainable design. The course comprises 30 hours of classroom-based content organised into four pillars of six 1-hour lectures, one 1.5-hour workshop, one informal Formative assessment (open book), one formal Summative assessment (open book) and supplemented with question-and-answer sessions and discussion throughout.

Pillar one on Context, Legislation and Leadership addresses key climate change policies, agreements and legislation at international, EU and Irish levels. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing, Circular Economy, Post-Occupancy Evaluation and Building Environmental Assessment Methods are also explored.

Pillar two on Operational Energy addresses calculation methods, Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure, indoor water use and carbon emissions, material performance, systems of construction and moisture risk assessment in building retrofit.

Pillar three on Embodied Carbon dives deeper into LCA and addresses vocabulary, standards, application of LCA in the design process and material reporting systems including Environmental Product Declarations.

Pillar four on Exterior and Interior Environment Quality addresses urban ecosystems, the impact of development on landscape, nature-based solutions, indoor air quality and design strategies, and the interrelationship between daylight, sunlight and overheat on building geometry and fenestration.

Course Programme

Week 1 - Pillar 1: Context, Legislation and Leadership
Thursday, 16 October 2025, 9:30 - 13:30
Friday, 17 October 2025, 9:45 - 13:30

Week 2 - Pillar 2: Operational Energy
Thursday, 23 October 2025, 9:45 - 13:30
Friday, 24 October 2025, 9:45 - 13:30

Week 3 – Workshops (Pillar 1 and 2)
Friday, 31 October 2025, 9:45 - 13:45

Week 4 - Pillar 3: Embodied Carbon
Thursday, 6 November 2025, 9:45 - 13:30
Friday, 7 November 2025, 9:45 - 13:30

Week 5 - Pillar 4: Exterior and Interior Environment Quality
Thursday, 13 November 2025, 9:45 - 13:30
Friday, 14 November 2025, 9:45 - 13:30

Week 6 - Workshops (Pillar 3 and 4)
Friday, 21 November 2025, 9:45 - 13:45

For further details see the RIAI EIC Lecture Series Programme 

Instructors

• David Browne, FRIAI RIBA ARB, RKD Architects
• Blanche Cameron, B.Arch. Dipl.Arch. Associate Professor - Environmental Design - The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
• Gearóid Carvill, M.Sc.BP (EED), B.Arch, BSc(Arch), MRIAI, RIBA, 7l Architects
• Cathal Heneghan, LEED AP BD+C & O+M, MSc, Director Meehan Green
• Simon Jones, AMIEnvSc, AMIAQM, Founder Air Quality Matters
• Dr Judit Kimpian, MA (RCA) PhD ARB RIBA
• Andrew Lundberg, NSAI Approved Thermal Bridge Assessor & Thermal Modeller at Passivate
• Brian T O’Brien, M Arch (Berekeley), B Arch Sci (Hons) TCD, Dip Arch TU Dublin, MRIAI Architect, BER Assessor, Daylight / Sunlight consultant
• Sarah O’Dwyer, M.ArchSc. B.Arch B.Sc. MRIAI, Programme Leader, Environmental Design of Buildings MSc, Welsh School of Architecture, Assistant Lecturer in Architecture for Climate Action TUDublin, Member RIAI Sustainability Task Force 
• Nellie Reid, LEED Fellow, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Managing Director Meehan Green, B. Arch and B. Arts, Rice University
• Dr Joe Jack Williams, Head of Sustainability Bywater Properties
• Tony Williams, B.A. Nat. Sci. M.L.Arch. M.I.L.I, Principal Landscape Architect Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Mandatory Course Requirements

The award of RIAI Environmental Accreditation is subject to mandatory course requirements: Candidates must achieve a Pass mark on all Summative Assessments; Candidates must attend at least six of the eight lecture sessions and cannot miss more than one lecture session in any pillar; Candidates must attend both workshop sessions. Attendance will be recorded at each session.

Eligibility

The EIC is open to RIAI Registered Architect Members and RIAI Architectural Technologist Members.

Accreditation

RIAI Members who successfully complete the course will be awarded RIAI Environmental Accreditation.

How to Join Webinar

When your booking has been confirmed, you will receive instructions and a unique link to join the webinar at the specified time and date. Note: This link should not be shared with others; it is unique to you. Before joining, be sure to check your system requirements to avoid any connection issue.

Terms and Conditions

Confirmation is subject to event fee being finalised. Cancellation fees calculated at 50% of the estimated total bill will be charged for confirmed bookings cancelled less than 5 working days prior to the date of the planned event. A replacement person can attend instead. Cancellations made the day prior to an event will be charged 75% of the total estimated bill. No-shows will be charged the full fee. All cancellations must be confirmed in writing by email. RIAI will not be liable for any costs in the event of a course being re-scheduled.

Queries should be sent to education@riai.ie.

Registration for Local Authority

Registration via Purchase Order can be arranged for Local Authorities. Local Authority bookings must include a Purchase Order number. Without this, the booking cannot be processed. For more information, please contact tharte@riai.ie