About Chris Irwin
Involved in the smart buildings market for 30+ yrs. Passionate about the need to improve energy & operational efficiency in buildings.
I have been involved in the smart buildings market for over 30 years, working for the most innovative companies in the building automation market, including Trend Controls (1987-95), Tridium (2002-11 and 2015-17), Distech Controls (2012-13 and 2017-18) and now J2 Innovations . I am passionate about the need to improve the way be design and operate our buildings. Originally a trained as an electronic engineer I closely follow the technology trends and have write and speak frequently about the issues in the automation and smart buildings markets. Now is the most exciting time due to the rise of IoT technologies and the convergence of IT and OT. FIN Framework which I am now involved with is at the leading edge of these changes.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.