CIBSE

#technicalsymposium 2026 Interview Hannah Gray and Deepak Sadhwani #buildingdesign

The video captures a day‑two interview at the Subsea Technical Symposium where mechanical engineer Hannah Gray speaks with senior analyst Deepak Sadwani about his recent presentation on a whole‑life optionering methodology for net‑zero housing. Sadwani outlines a 60‑year life‑cycle analysis that isolates a single design pathway capable of achieving net‑zero carbon emissions. Key findings include the identification of that unique net‑zero option, a detailed cost breakdown that initially appeared prohibitive, and a real‑world pilot in York where the retrofit was executed at surprisingly low expense. The pilot demonstrated that the primary hurdle was not financial but the coordination of diverse stakeholders required to implement the solution on site. Sadwani emphasizes, “It turned out to be surprisingly low,” referring to the retrofit cost, and stresses that “the major aspect was to bring in various stakeholders who could actually deliver it.” The York case serves as a concrete example that the methodology can move from theory to practice when collaborative frameworks are established. The implications are significant: if the stakeholder model can be replicated, the approach could be scaled across the UK, reducing the perceived cost barrier and accelerating the construction sector’s contribution to national net‑zero targets. This signals a shift toward lifecycle‑focused design thinking that aligns financial viability with climate objectives.