Testing times

Patrick Mooney warns the Government’s 1.5 million homes target requires urgent funding and policy reforms if it is to be achieved. Has the Government already signalled that it is unlikely to meet its ambitious target of building 1.5 million new... View Article

Plans submitted for 40 homes on former railway land

Salford-based builder, Watson, has submitted plans to transform a 1.55-acre site on Charter Street, Accrington into 40 new homes. The development represents the latest chapter in the regeneration of this key site, which previously contained railway sidings, an engine shed, and... View Article

Hotel Romeo Roma in Italy

The classical interpretation of Rome as a palimpsest of architectural layers—Baroque buildings atop Renaissance and medieval structures, themselves atop their Roman predecessors—includes a final layer of verticality: ceilings of painted trompe l’oeil arches, heavenly vaults and celestial chambers populated with ascendant saints,... View Article

Leeds Beckett researchers using AI to tackle mould growth

Researchers at Leeds Beckett are working to address mould growth problems in UK housing to improve housing safety. Following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, Awaab’s Law was launched, which requires social housing landlords to quickly investigate and... View Article

JRA completes reconfiguration of Golden Square

  John Robertson Architects has completed the reconfiguration and refurbishment of 30 – 31 Golden Square for client Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva PLC. Located in the heart of London’s historic Soho neighbourhood, JRA’s sustainability-led design... View Article

National Retrofit conference and Expo 2025

The National Retrofit Conference returns for its second year in 2025 with an exciting new expansion, the launch of a dedicated Expo, making it bigger and more engaging than ever before.  Taking place alongside Futurebuild 2025, this enhanced and immersive... View Article

Keepmoat to deliver accessible bungalows in Newcastle

Top 10 UK housebuilder Keepmoat has committed to delivering 45 new accessible bungalows in partnership with Newcastle City Council, exclusively for residents over the age of 55. The new homes in Chapel House, Newcastle, represent a £12 million investment to the... View Article

IronmongeryDirect makes donation to St.Luke’s hospice

IronmongeryDirect has raised £1,545 for St. Luke’s Hospice in Basildon through its Christmas employee raffle, with prizes donated from some of the company’s valued suppliers. St. Luke’s Hospice, located nearby to IronmongeryDirect, is a charity providing compassionate palliative and end... View Article

Approval for new building at Design & Engineering Uni

Scott Brownrigg, an international design practice, has secured planning permission for the T-Levels Building, a new University Technical College (UTC) facility adjacent to the University of East London Docklands Campus, that expands the existing London Design & Engineering (LDE) UTC’s... View Article

Hybrid Heating Systems: A Guide for Trade Professionals

As the UK slowly heads towards a low-carbon future, hybrid heating systems could become the next big trend in home heating.  Offering a balance between the best of traditional and renewable technologies, these systems offer homeowners a sustainable, cost-effective heating... View Article

The benefits and barriers to sharing EPD information

As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical focus for architects and designers, the importance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in guiding the selection of products cannot be overstated. In the bathroom and washroom sector, EPDs are gaining traction as essential tools... View Article

Modern performance from traditional methods

Developed by a Midlands housing association, a recent project in Handsworth, Birmingham shows a forward-thinking approach to sustainable housing, anticipating the Future Homes Standard. MPA Masonry explores how combining innovative materials with traditional construction methods can create efficient, low-carbon homes.... View Article

Unlocking smarter energy upgrades

Daniel Mackie of Hamilton outlines the critical steps in the pathway to achieving PAS 2035 compliance and emphasises the importance of recognising that up to six months of preparation may be required before projects can commence on-site. Energy efficiency upgrades... View Article

Keepmoat appoints new Chief Financial Officer

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has announced the appointment of Mark Dilley as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), in a move that further strengthens the business’ executive board. With significant experience as a trusted board-level finance business partner with both listed... View Article

Dandara receives a triple award win

Local housebuilder Dandara has received quality excellence from Premier Guarantee for two of its developments in Buckinghamshire, The Muse and The Aces, and its development in Bedfordshire, Saxon Park. All three developments received a ‘Quality Recognition Award’ from the warranty... View Article

Switch Management appoints Group Asset Director

Switch Management Ltd, a Birmingham-based asset management and consultancy company, has promoted Kevin Walker to Group Asset Director and appointed him to the company board. With over 14 years’ experience in maintenance and facilities management, Kevin joined Switch in 2021... View Article

Realising embodied carbon of structures”increasingly urgent”

IStructE’s updated guidance “How to calculate embodied carbon” and revised Structural Carbon Tool steer the built environment industry to make informed decisions and calculations about emissions due to the use of construction materials. The calculation and control of embodied carbon (emissions due to... View Article

NHBC relaunches leading technical event as BEYOND ‘25 LIVE

NHBC has launched a new future-focused event designed to reflect the ever-changing nature of the house-building industry, address the wide range of issues affecting the sector and examine the unique challenges those in construction face.  For three decades, Building for Tomorrow was... View Article