Making builders licenced

For a profession which affects so many people’s lives, arguably more than most others, the housebuilding industry is a strikingly under-regulated one. Doctors have a distinctly profound effect on their clients, namely (normally) improving how their bodies function. With such... View Article

The big question about climate change

The real question to ask about climate change is not whether it’s a problem or how bad it is, but what are you, and/or your company you work for going to do about it? Following the successfully headline-grabbing Extinction Rebellion... View Article

Upward trend for wooden hi-rise

Until recently, there was a growing movement in the UK to build tall buildings using timber. There are ancient Chinese timber pagodas which are many storeys high, but going tall with timber is something the western world has struggled to... View Article

Plan for 283 council homes moves ahead

The biggest council house building programme in Aberdeen in more than half a century took another major step forward today as plans progressed for 283 new homes. First Endeavour LLP is set to deliver the housing units at Wellheads Road... View Article

The case for third party certification

Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) explores the intricacies of third-party fire door certification and its benefits. The purpose of a fire door in everyday use is just like any other door. However, since the break-out of fire... View Article

Going with the flow

Martin Lambley of Wavin assesses the predicted impact of new Sewers for Adoption drainage guidelines, and what they mean for the future of SuDS. New guidance for the design of adoptable drainage is set to be published later this year.... View Article

Mayor of London cancels Tulip tower

Plans for the Tulip tower, a 305 metre high project proposed for Bury Street (beside the Gherkin), have been blocked by London Mayor, Sadiq Khan. Khan wrote to Annie Hampson, chief planning officer of the City of London, to tell... View Article

Shaping the modern home

As the housebuilding sector continues to evolve, Peter Kelsey of Designer Contracts offers his perspective on how buyer expectations have shaped the design of the modern home. It’s interesting to look back, particularly over the past 20 years, to see... View Article

Boutique city living at new Glasgow East development

Merchant Homes has launched an exclusive development of homes in Glasgow East, offering prospective homebuyers the opportunity to lay down roots in a new landmark community within touching distance of the city centre. A welcome addition to the already thriving... View Article

Brighton’s Preston Barracks innovation hub ‘topped out’

Specialist regeneration and property developer U+I and GRAHAM have celebrated ‘topping out’ a unique new innovation hub for local businesses, called Plus X, as part of the Preston Barracks redevelopment in Brighton. Construction of the 50,000 sq ft building marks... View Article

Offsite: Not the panacea?

The Government is making a big push for modern methods of construction as part of the solution to the housing crisis. While offsite has a key role in the market, it might not be the panacea many hope it to... View Article

Practice Profile: Maber Architects

After recently turning 35, well-established practice Maber Architects decided to reinvent and ‘reboot’ itself, James Parker spoke to managing director Ian Harris to find out why Maber Architects was founded by keen cricketer Colin Maber in Nottingham in 1983, and... View Article

The power to choose

An award-winning Passivhaus Plus in Buckinghamshire is being hailed as a game-changer in terms of showing how smart homes can function as green ‘power stations.’ Sarah Kassam of CIBSE explains the design behind the project The winner of the residential... View Article

View Point: Dr Gavin Dunn

Dr Gavin Dunn of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) looks at how the discipline of the ‘the golden thread’ from the Hackitt review is fundamental to ensuring building safety from design through construction to occupation One of the... View Article