News & Blogs

After International Women in Engineering Day, how can we #ImagineTheFuture?

Yesterday was International Women in Engineering Day, where we celebrated outstanding women in the sector. With sponsors ranging from the Royal...

International Women in Engineering Day 2022

Tomorrow is International Women in Engineering Day, an event organised by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). WES is a charity founded...

How engineers could use soundwaves to 3D print components

Sound has the power to do amazing things. We already discussed how it can affect our comfort and well-being in...

How sound (of all things) can make a building healthier

We’ve all had a night where we just can’t sleep. Right now it's mostly down to the heat but often...

Let’s breathe better this Clean Air Day 2022

The World Health Organisation has identified air pollution as the biggest environmental threat we face today. Every day, air pollution...

What the new Building Safety Act means for construction

What the new Building Safety Act means for construction Passed as law at the end of April, the Building Safety...

How engineering has changed since the Queen took the throne

There are few people who can boast of having two birthdays; in fact, perhaps the Queen is the only one....

Ups and downs post-Platinum Jubilee

Post-Jubilee, it’s been a whirlwind week in the news. The Platinum Jubilee saw street parties up and down the UK,...

Some unique interview questions to find the best people (and keep them)

Every organisation is unique, so you want to find team members that are the right fit. Each business has its own company...

The days of paper might be over, but document management is going nowhere

Organisation is vital to every organisation – the clue is in the name, no? Proper document management is a crucial...

Are robot hotels the future of hospitality?

A smiling receptionist stands at the front desk…but not is all as it seems. At the Henn na Hotel in Tokyo,...

The perks and pitfalls of a hybrid working model

The COVID lockdowns completely changed our relationship with how we work. Remote working ushered in a new era for many...

Going beyond carbon neutral to become carbon positive

The recent COP26 conference has emphasised global awareness of the threat of climate change. The summit in Glasgow was headline news for...

Why we need to make up the numbers in engineering this National Numeracy Day

Today is National Numeracy Day, an initiative that was designed to raise awareness of the importance of mathematics for both children...

The science of smiling in our post-mask moment

Fingers crossed, the days of widespread mask usage are behind us. We can finally meet face-to-face in the most literal...

What is friggatriskaidekaphobia?

Today is Friday the 13th, and as many know, this is said to be one of the most unlucky days...

Face-to-face events are officially back! 

After all the postponed events that punctuated the pandemic, we’re thrilled to see real, in person events making a comeback. ...

Why real-world stories are another great way to inspire budding engineers

In the previous article about inspiring young engineers, we discussed a new project where parents are encouraged to engage the smallest...

Start ‘em young: Inspiring young engineers from an early age

An interesting project caught our eye here at DJHC this week: Bedtime Stories for Very Young Engineers. Taking place in London...

How to manage resistance to change in the workplace

Change is a part of life; but for many, it can be scary. There’s a reason it’s called a comfort...

The Mayor of London announces preference for retrofits over demolitions

London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has released new guidance that states that all new major construction projects in the capital will...

UK construction falters in the face of Ukraine crisis and rising inflation

Economic growth in the UK has slowed due to rising inflation and the economic implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine....

Using HAP software to work out the cooling load calculation

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been introducing a key MEP concept: cooling load. Hot on the heels of our...

Earth Day 2022: How can we make construction sites more sustainable?

Today is Earth Day, an event conceived in 1970 to promote support for environmentalism. This is a poignant day for the...

Cooling load calculation: Why is it an important standard and how does it work?

To properly design and install any type of efficient forced-air heating and cooling system, MEP engineers must implement certain evaluations...

Happy Easter from DJHC! Here’s to new beginnings…

From all of us at DJHC, we want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter!  In celebration of the holiday,...

The state of play for sustainable MEP design

Now, more than ever, industries across the globe are moving towards more eco-friendly and sustainable approaches. But what exactly is...

What on earth is the cooling load?

As part of our series on HVAC basics, we’re going to introduce cooling load. This is one of the key...

Could holograms be the video calling of the future?

Around-the-clock Zoom calls have been a hallmark of the pandemic. Many of us are feeling jaded by screen time and...

Maintaining ventilation systems to keep air quality high and costs down

This year, World Health Day on the 7th April coincides with Stress Awareness Month. Stress levels have a profound connection...

What are psychrometric processes?

As part of our series on the basics of HVAC, we want to introduce a key concept: psychrometry and psychrometric processes....

Know the basics of keeping private pools clean and healthy

When thinking about starting a new construction project, water supply planning is an important, early-stage component that should never be...

The summer essentials for your HVAC system

If you hadn’t already noticed (and we hope you have…or you will have been late to everything!) British Summer Time began on...

HVAC basics: VRF and VAV systems

Not all HVAC systems are created equal and each system is tailored to meet different needs. From simple air conditioning...

Announcing our new brand, DJHC

It’s all change here at DJHC! Since our relocation to our new officesat Gatcombe House in Portsmouth, we’ve recognised it’s...

Happy Global Recycling Day!  

Every year on March 18, we celebrate Global Recycling Day. It’s an important day to recognise the people and initiatives...

How does ventilation affect comfortable building design and healthy, clean air?

As we discussed in our previous introductory article on the basics of HVAC, these systems consider the management of environmental...

HVAC: The basic functions of heating and cooling systems

HVAC is a term you will have heard, but how does this system of technologies work exactly? Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning...

Inspiring women in engineering in honour of International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day, where we recognise the struggles, contributions and achievements of women all over the world. Although the...

How can we preserve “water cooler moments” when face-to-face isn’t possible?

Most restrictions have now been lifted in the UK but many companies are still choosing to hold onto flexible or...

Does happiness give you the edge professionally?

Why do so many of us equate happiness with success? This is the subject of a (frankly hilarious) TED talk...

Urgent action is needed as the supply chain comes under more pressure post-Brexit

The whole construction industry was waiting with bated breath to see what effect Brexit would have on the supply chain....

Is carbon offsetting the key to lower carbon construction?

Global construction accounts for 38% of total global emissions, with buildings equivalent to the size of Paris being built every week....

A look into engineering in the era of the very first Valentines

There are a lot of theories about where the Valentine’s holiday tradition came from; some say Saint Valentine was a...

How light impacts productivity

Lighting is an important component of any space. It’s an integral part of a building user’s comfort, along with temperature, ventilation...

Digital integration in construction

Today, technology has become an integral part of most businesses. Its increasing importance has become so intertwined with data that...

Is AI the answer to implicit bias in hiring?

As the climate crisis looms, engineering and construction has a vital role to play. That means we need talent – and we...

Engineering is problem-solving, but being a leader is more

Engineering is, in essence, problem-solving. A good engineer will be excited by an un-fixed problem because it provides opportunity to...

What can we expect to see over the next few years in heating and plumbing?

If the events of the past two years have taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. Just as the...

Thinking of a career in engineering? Here are some tips to get ahead of the game

Engineering has huge potential to positively impact our society. This is especially the case as sustainability comes to the fore, where...

What’s the future of mechanical engineering?

Digitisation is rapidly changing every industry – not least those that have always relied on technology. Mechanical engineering is undergoing...

Ministers are stepping in to stem the soaring price of energy

The UK government is set to announce measures to tackle the rising cost of energy bills. The crisis, precipitated by the...

Buildings that breathe: From sci-fi strapline to reality

It might sound like something from a sci-fi film, but the concept of a breathing building is coming increasingly to the...

Why the government should step up its air purification plan for schools

According to information recently published by the Liberal Democrat party, every classroom in England could be fitted with an air...

The video call interviewer skills you need to identify top graduates

Students have faced a massive amount of disruption to their studies during the pandemic, and with new restrictions introduced over recent weeks,...

Crunch time for the construction industry as COVID continues

Since lockdowns began early in 2020, much of the construction industry has had somewhat of a different experience to other...

How to manage morale as Plan B comes into effect

Unsurprisingly, the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics regarding COVID-19 and mental health shows that the number...

Is VR the new essential collaboration tool in the built environment?

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been discussing how technology is transforming architecture and engineering. From real-time renders to 3D...

What do Plan B restrictions mean for the construction industry?

Last week the government announced that the country would be retreating back into what we all dreaded – Plan B...

Does technology hold the key to fewer fatalities in construction?

According to the Health & Safety Executive, 39 construction workers died on site last year. The most common cause of death was...

Could timber help us decarbonise construction?

The construction industry plays a crucial role in the UK economy. However, it is also a major contributor to carbon...

Why empathy is the new driver of productivity in the workplace

In a recent article, we reflected on why an appreciation for mental health in the workplace is the new essential...

How real-time visualisation brings designs to life

Lately we’ve been doing a focus on new technologies in architecture and engineering. These tools, from 3D printing to 3D...

How can supply chains bounce back post-pandemic?

The rollout of coronavirus vaccines seems to signal that the world is slowly emerging from the pandemic. However, the health...

Why workplace diversity is key to company performance

In our post-Black Lives Matter moment, diversity and equality in the workplace is a hot topic. At the beginning of...

Is the future of the built environment 3D printed?

DJHC is always at the cutting edge of new developments. Innovation is key to making buildings safer, more efficient and...

Outcomes from COP26 and their effect on construction

Last Friday COP26, the annual UN international conference on climate change came to a close. The summit brought together over...

Why we need more women in boardrooms, now more than ever

Over the last couple of weeks, the UK government announced there will be a new push to get more women in boardrooms....

The Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment explained

This month’s news has been all about COP26, as nations come together to accelerate action against climate change. Much hope...

Building climate-ready communities: What’s next?

This week the United Nations marks The International Week of Science and Peace, which seeks to highlight how progress in science...

How 3D scanning is transforming MEP surveys

New innovations are transforming architecture and engineering all the time. In a previous article we discussed how AutoCAD changed the...

Digital transparency in the construction industry post-Grenfell

The Grenfell Tower disaster was a tragedy that shook the nation – not to mention a wake-up call for the...

Why knowledge of mental health is the new essential skill

Mental health was an important topic during the pandemic, second only to the crisis itself. In fact, many analysts suggested...

Brexit and the construction industry: What we’ve seen so far

There was some trepidation in the British construction industry about what Brexit might bring. Now, the situation seems to be...

Starting a new job in the post-pandemic landscape

Recently, it’s been all about change for DJHC. We’ve moved to our new premises and we’re starting some exciting new...

We’ve moved! Find out more about DJHC’s new home…

It’s exciting times ahead for David J. Higgins Consulting. The company is expanding rapidly with new team members and key...

Why collaboration is key to controlling prolongation costs

It’s the same story in architects’, engineers’ and clients’ offices up and down the country – what are we going...

The unsung skills of negotiation in construction

Negotiation can be one of those things that have the potential to get tricky. We hope this list might help...

What’s net zero and how can construction play its part?

Striving towards a significant reduction in carbon emissions is something every industry needs to do. As we see more and...

How design has changed over the years, and…what’s next?

Looking to the past century, you could probably name a few inventions that changed the world. The Internet is one...

Why project management is the foundation of any build

Before the foundations are laid, the foundation of a building project is project management. Project management is essential to the...

Why drone surveying might be the key to unlocking more value in your building

Traditional surveying techniques require meticulous planning, measurements and trained experts. It’s a substantial task before a project commences, and certainly,...

Preventing Legionnaires’ disease

As we progress into something that looks a bit more like normality, many public buildings and workplaces are awakening from...

A deeper dive into humidity and swimming pool design

In a previous article, we discussed some of the common blunders associated with indoor swimming pool design. The conclusion was,...

Why an MEP engineer is a crucial part of a swimming pool design team

It was many years ago now, but the £34 million Clissold Leisure Centre in Hackney has gone down in history...

Why should you care about maintenance surveys?

Naturally, making sure a building is in good condition is essential to keeping costs down. Nobody needs a major system...

What is MEP services design?

If you’re building your own home, embarking on a redevelopment project, or any other variety of non-industry-insider, you may be...

Why daylight is important when designing or re-designing a building

Daylight is often overlooked when designing buildings, particularly in the workplace. Certainly, happy workers are motivated workers, but bad lighting...

A carbon reduction code for the whole construction supply chain

DJHC is committed to delivering sustainable buildings. Through innovative, cutting-edge HVAC designs we can save energy and protect the environment...

What is thermal analysis?

Using state of the art software such as IES™, DesignBuilder™ and Revit™, we can build a virtual model of any...

International Women in Engineering Day

To all our female colleagues – we hope you had a fantastic International Women in Engineering Day yesterday! If you’re...

Building insurance: Getting the cover you need

Every business owner needs to manage risk and getting the right insurance is one of the key ways to manage...

Getting your building ready for people again

It’s been over a year now since coronavirus restrictions closed various commercial buildings. Although the lifting of restrictions has been...

Refocusing on sustainability after COVID-19

The coronavirus crisis has triggered the most significant economic slump since the 1930s, not to mention a huge public health...

Water is a basic need, so the water supply needs to be part of early-stage planning

We like to think of the water supply as the lifeblood of a building, along with electricity and gas. The...

MPANs and MPRNs debunked

Building conversions are big business at the moment. Many of our clients are embarking on ambitious projects to convert disused...

Getting women into engineering and keeping them there

A recent study conducted by non-profit organisation EngineeringUK found that just 12% of engineers were female. According to their study,...

Unlock the value in your building

Often, changing the purpose of a building or plot can be a lucrative opportunity for landlords. Take converting a commercial...

Things you should be asking your MEP building services provider

The selection of an MEP consulting firm will not only affect the construction project; it will also impact the building’s...

How to keep the social element of your working life alive as remote working becomes the norm

The average workday is normally peppered with social interactions. In the average office, you didn’t really need to try too...

Happy Earth Day! Here’s why MEP is fundamental to sustainable building

Happy Earth Day to all our clients and collaborators! This celebration, marked annually on 22nd April, was established to promote...

How kitchens changed during the pandemic

The emergence of the “dark kitchen” was something we touched on midway through the pandemic in another article. These premises...

The final stretch: Tips to keep productivity up post easing of restrictions

When we first moved to remote working during the first COVID lockdown, many bosses were surprised by the uptick in...

Understanding different HVAC fan types

The fan is a key component in your HVAC system, so it's important to understand how different models operate. Across...

5 Things to consider when reopening your building after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted

As the situation develops, it's becoming increasingly clear that we have to live with COVID-19. Even after the announcement of...

New challenges surrounding comfort in the age of the smart building

You may be surprised to learn that the notion of the 'intelligent building' has, in fact, been around since the...

Green living after lockdown

During the UK-wide lockdown, pollution in London dropped to its lowest level since records began. Overall, the level of nitrogen...

Tracking the team in smart buildings: A valuable protection or invasive practice?

Certainly, smart technology offers a wealth of opportunities when it comes to managing workplaces. From ventilation to heating, through to...

How air quality affects our cognitive performance

Our grasp of the relationship between our health and air quality has evolved significantly in the last decade. Both indoors...

Is upcycling buildings viable?

How we can make our buildings more sustainable is of vital concern. It isn't only about their running – it's...

Social distance and mental health in the workplace

COVID-19 will change the face of the workplace. As many of us return to the office, it's becoming increasingly clear...

How pubs are preparing for the ‘new normal’​

A sector that has faced some of the most significant challenges due to the coronavirus crisis is the hospitality industry....

Football’s home…but not as we know it

British football is back on our screens but it is not the beautiful game as we know it. Gone are...

Is ‘man-made’​ an outdated term?

As the fight towards gender equality rages on, there are many who are calling for normalised gender biases to be...

The importance of maintaining close working relationships while remote working

"Hello?" "Are you still there?" "Hello? Can you hear me?" Sounds familiar, doesn't it? The coronavirus crisis has made the...

The rise of dark kitchens in the wake of the pandemic

COVID-19 has changed life as we know it – and is set to do so well into the future. An...

Ventilation requirements in a post-pandemic society: Is your school up to scratch?

Ventilation in schools is incredibly important from both health and education perspectives. Adequate airflow not only facilitates a healthy learning...

Contactless pathways and the return of the cubicle: The ‘new normal’​ in workplaces?

There's no doubt that the current coronavirus crisis is going to change the way we live - but what about...

Does coronavirus signal the end of the open-plan office?

Up until this moment, the open-plan office was considered to be the workspace that all companies should aspire to. This...

Are you ready to get back to work post-lockdown?

Last week, the government announced that if you can't work from home, you should return to your workplace. Looking to...

When animals take over

Since the prime minister announced the nationwide lockdown in the UK last month, the streets have been eerily quiet. Shops...

The importance of air quality in schools

Though currently the schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now is a good time to review the air...

What will the economic impact of coronavirus be on the construction industry?

It's certain that coronavirus is having a devastating economic impact, with some nations even contemplating putting their economies into hibernation....

How is the MEP, architecture and construction industry coping with the pandemic?

A month ago, the current situation we find ourselves in seemed unthinkable. Now, coronavirus has taken hold in the UK...

Pros and cons of smart buildings and their impact on MEP industries

Smart buildings, also known as intelligent buildings or automated buildings, use smart technology to share information about what is happening...

Coronavirus and the construction industry: Is enough being done?

Recent restrictions on movement in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic have meant that only key workers should travel to...

What the MEP industry can do to reduce CO2 emissions in construction

Climate change is among the biggest challenges that we have to overcome. Measures to deal with this crisis are always...