Swindon Fabric First Retrofit Course - Session 5 Using Internal Wall Insulation in Retrofit

A deep dive into effective retrofit practices with a fabric-first approach.

This CPD training course is aimed at professionals and homeowners alike who want to know more about sensitive and effective retrofit options in their home. This is an open training session with participants joining from different organisations.

As spaces for this training are limited, a £25 per session deposit is required on booking. This will be fully refunded* following attendance at each session. Our aim is to ensure that all attendees have the best possible experience and support. We look forward to welcoming you to Swindon and supporting your journey towards effective, fabric-first retrofit.

Date and time

19th February 2026
9:30am - 1:30pm

Location

NSBRC, Lydiard Fields, Great Western Way, Swindon SN5 8UB

Refundable deposit*

£25.00

14 spaces left

Ideal for

Architects
Architectural Technologists
Specifiers
Building Surveyors
Contractors
Consultants (Energy, Passivhaus)
Historic/Listed Building Consultants
Damp Specialists
Students
Anyone interested in sustainable, energy-efficient building

Key learning

The importance of building physics principles in retrofit.
A variety of best practice retrofit techniques for a variety of building elements.
Practical application of the techniques.

Description

Session 5 is Using Internal Wall Insulation in Retrofit

Join this session to find out more about core principles and practices for good internal wall insulation. The session will explore the building physics and build-up details of various internal wall insulation options, discussing the role of different materials and their importance.

Entry Requirements:

Suitable for contractors, trades, and other key players in the construction workforce who wish to gain the skills needed to start understanding retrofit measures.
Learners should be aged 19+.
During the first release of the course, the mandatory training components will be held in person at the location detailed above. You must be able to attend these training sessions to complete the course.

Points Gained:

This CPD is a 4-hour long training session providing 3.5 CPD points.

There are five sessions within this series to support your continued development. We recommend attending all 5, as each session builds on the previous one.

Thursday 25^th September 2025. Session 1 is Retrofit Science Basics & How to Prepare for Retrofit. This session will help you to understand the importance of thermal insulation, air and windtightness and moisture management, and the interaction of these factors when retrofitting your building. It will also provide an overview of how to prepare before beginning your retrofit project. This is a good introduction to the rest of the series.

Thursday 23^rd October 2025. Session 2 is Retrofitting Suspended Timber Floors. We understand that sometimes retrofitting a whole house can feel overwhelming, and you might not know where to start. An area where you can make the biggest, most cost-effective difference quickly is suspended timber floors, which are very common in the UK and are often draughty and cold. Join this session to learn how you can understand the core principles and practices which will help you to insulate your floor using breathable materials and air and windtight detailing.

Thursday 20^th November 2025. Session 3 is Retrofitting Roofs and Lofts. Join this session to find out more about improving the thermal performance of your roof and loft without compromising breathability. This session will explore air and windtightness, thermal insulation, ventilation requirements and moisture management within this area of retrofit. It will explore different materials and the reasons behind their use.

Thursday 22^nd January 2026. Session 4 is Retrofitting with a Focus on Airtightness around Windows and Services. This session will help you to understand how to ensure good air and windtightness in your building. There will be a focus on windows, doors and service penetrations. The session will cover the important theory behind robust airtightness details and include hands-on experience, ensuring these tricky details are made airtight.

Thursday 19^th February 2026. Session 5 is Using Internal Wall Insulation in Retrofit. Join this session to find out more about core principles and practices for good internal wall insulation. The session will explore the building physics and build-up details of various internal wall insulation options, discussing the role of different materials and their importance.

Together, these five sessions will detail best practices in retrofit. They will cover building physics theory, along with practical sessions using retrofit building element models.

Agenda

Location:

The Sustainability Theatre The National Self Build & Renovation Centre Lydiard Fields, Great Western Way Swindon SN5 8UB

The training session commences at 9.30am and finishes around 1:30pm. We request that you arrive at the NSRBC in Swindon for 9.15am for registration and a prompt start at 9.30am. Please park at the rear of the Centre: NSBRC - Visitor information.

All events will include both theory and practical activities as well as hot and cold beverages. There are cafe facilities available at the NSBRC for refreshments that can be purchased at a discounted rate, or alternatively, you are very welcome to bring your own refreshments if you prefer.

The session will cover theory and practical elements, so bring means to make notes if you need to. The practical sessions will involve retrofitting building element models, so please wear comfortable clothing.

We recommend bringing PPE, goggles and steel-toe caps/flat-soled stout footwear. PPE will vary depending on the activities. Gloves and masks will be provided if you would like to use them.

To help keep each session on track and as relevant as possible to all attendees, we are offering 1-2-1 appointments after each session. During these appointments you can discuss specific projects or details with our Technical advisors. Please note that you will need to have booked this in advance.

Speakers

Annie Benton

Technical Specification Advisor

Annie has just recently completed her MSC in Green Building and has a passionate interest in building physics and improving the built environment. She is well acquainted with fabric first principles through completing her Passive House Designer Certification and Family Eco-Cocon straw panel home.

She has skills in measuring in-situ building performance of materials and completed her dissertation in this topic. Annie has practical skills in plastering with natural based plasters and experience of spraying natural insulation materials. Annie’s background is in education having worked in Neuroscience research and been a Secondary Science Teacher for 10 years across London and East Anglia.

Annie enjoys walking with her two labradors, growing her own food and enjoying the outdoors.

Kieran Fellows

Technical Specification Advisor

Kieran has a background in Technical Sales, most recently in the Communication and Technology sector. After developing an interest in architecture and construction, he went on to develop a passion for Passive House design and energy-efficient building techniques.

Kieran subsequently chose to retrain and transfer his technical sales expertise to the building industry, working to support the UK in its decarbonisation goals through both Retrofit and New Build projects.

In his spare time Kieran also enjoys travelling, especially taking an interest in local architecture, culture, and food, whilst keeping fit by walking, swimming and some occasional yoga.

Dave Judd

Technical Specification Advisor (BSc Hons, MSc)

Dave has extensive experience with energy efficiency retrofits and is well acquainted with the “fabric first” principles of integrating airtightness and insulation in both new-build and existing buildings. He has also worked within the domestic renewable energy sector, with the main emphasis on solar PV, solar thermal and biomass systems. He has a Degree in Environmental Science and an MSc in Architecture: Advanced Environment & Energy Studies and recently qualified as a Certified Passive House Tradesperson with the Passive House Institute. Outside of work, Dave enjoys trail running and cycling, growing vegetables and being sociable.

Neil Turner

UK Technical Manager (BSc Hons)

Neil Turner is Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems. A former competent person of the BBA/TIMSA U-Value and Condensation Risk Calculation Competency Scheme, who has been involved in developing CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) European standards, Neil has extensive experience in the building products sector. Neil advises architects, contractors and timber frame specialists on the specification of sustainable insulation products and has been involved in numerous sustainable projects throughout the UK.