32nd World Design Assembly to convene in October 2021

The World Design Organization (WDO) has announced its plans to hold its 32nd World Design Assembly (WDA) in Shunde (China) on 29-31 October 2021. Held biennially, the three-day event is a significant occasion for the organization’s leadership, membership and external... View Article

Guide to Fire Safety Regulations

Many people perceive fire to be a rare incident, thus the general slack attitude to safety regulations.  However, fire accidents cause thousands of companies to suffer immense devastation each year. In England alone, the Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) attended... View Article

Letting agent fees and services

Every letting agent offers different fees and services. Some agents charge for very specific services with little else. For example, they may charge tenant finding fees for doing just that — finding a tenant. That means no referencing, no drafting... View Article

Sandtex breathes new life into cellar conversion

Developed for use in challenging conditions both inside and out, Sandtex Trade’s X-Treme X-Posure® masonry paint has helped transform a 100-year-old warehouse to create an atmospheric furniture and interior store and a cosy new coffee shop. Located in picturesque Llandeilo, Wales, Davies &... View Article

Modern Methods of Construction: building on experience

Reviewing innovation in house building since the 19th century, this new report interrogates past failures, identifies high-quality design elements, and explores the social and economic influences that fuel change. The latest report commissioned by the NHBC Foundation is now available. Modern... View Article

Acoustic Windows Keep the Peace at former US embassy

When it comes to luxury redevelopments, they don’t come much more complex than former US Embassy building No 1 Grosvenor Square with its rebuilt stone façade, SFS on springs and listed building status. The design and installation of sympathetic timber... View Article

New surface finishes for roofs and walls from VMZINC

For 168 years VMZINC existed only in differing shades of grey and whilst these greys have been very popular with designers there was a desire to add just a little colour. In 2005 VMZINC launched the PIGMENTO range which includes... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Home Offices

With the arrival of Covid, hundreds of thousands of homeowners took to their studies (or sofas) to work from home. As householders continue to combine home-working with being in the office to an unprecedented degree, we round up some of... View Article

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