BBA appointed as an Approved Body for UKCA Marking

The British Board of Agrément is pleased to announce that it has been appointed as an Approved Body, Technical Assessment Body and Notified Body (NI) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) Marking... View Article

Architects’ activism: How we can build a better 2021

With urban areas perhaps feeling the effects of lockdown most intensely, our built environment may seem an unlikely source of optimism in 2021. However, buildings have an unrivalled capacity to reflect our values as a society, so their design, planning,... View Article

Assisted living and care home exercise

Martin Williams of Saunders explores why it’s integral to build in facilities which promote movement and activity for residents. The pandemic has meant many of the retired population have needed to remain in their homes for safety, sometimes meaning that... View Article

Qualified CIBSE Enthusiasm for Future Homes Progress

The government has published its long-awaited response to the 2019-20 consultation on the Future Homes Standard, which sought views on how best to improve the energy performance of new homes through changes to Part L and Part F of the... View Article

Industry first as Deceuninck joins BFRC noise reduction scheme

Demonstrating its commitment to cutting noise pollution, Deceuninck is the first window systems company to sign up to BFRC’s new Noise Reduction Rating scheme. The scheme is designed to help systems companies and fabricators demonstrate the acoustic performance of their... View Article

Profix™ PLUS Underfloor Heating Panels

The Profix™ PLUS Panel is a pipe retention panel designed for warm-water underfloor heating systems. Different in design to our standard Profix™ Panel for 10mm – 12mm diameter pipe, the Profix™ PLUS Panel is specially designed to incorporate 14mm to... View Article

Waging war on plastic waste

Plastic waste is ubiquitous in construction, and the consequences are becoming increasingly apparent. Dr Wendy Jones of Changing Streams spoke to Jack Wooler about what is being done to address this key industry challenge Plastic is everywhere in construction, with... View Article

Rooflights – historic solutions

You might think rooflights are a modern invention, but as Peter Daniel of The Rooflight Company explains, they have a long history which ties into humanity’s perennial desire to bring light into buildings Natural light has been worshipped since time... View Article

New soffit system delivers fire protection at every level

An advanced and lightweight prefabricated brick slip soffit system from market leader IG Masonry Support, manufactured to meet A1 fire rating regulations and suitable for applications over 18 metres, is now available. It is the B.O.S.S. A1, a prefabricated brick... View Article

Has Covid accelerated modular building?

Before COVID-19, the interest in modern methods of construction (MMC), and specifically modular, was growing – albeit slowly. However, lockdown and all the subsequent restrictions put in place – along with the government’s ‘Build Build Build’ and ‘Green Industrial Revolution’... View Article

Aster Group secures £250m sustainability bond

Housing association Aster Group has priced its first £250m Sustainability Bond under the group’s new European Medium-Term Notes (EMTN) programme with the proceeds bolstering its fund for developing new affordable housing. The 15-year bond, which was four times oversubscribed, comprised... View Article

Ask the Expert: The light fantastic

Marketa Rypacek of Industville looks at which of the many types of decorative lighting are best for your project, gives insights into how to go low energy without compromising light levels, and explains why lighting is like jewellery HOW CAN... View Article

Space to relax

Megan Baker of My Fitted Bedroom says that getting organisation and storage right are top of the agenda for bedrooms in 2021 The events of 2020 have seen a surge in people organising their homes – re-evaluating what they really... View Article