Bridging the gap between architects and contractors

By Tony Owen, Novus Property Solutions. Ask any architect how they feel about their faith in contractors to work accurately to a brief, and you’ll see some raised eyebrows. Ask a contractor about their relationship with architects, and you’ll likely... View Article

Managing risk in megaprojects

By Steve Cooper, general manager UK and Ireland at Aconex. ‘Megaproject’ is the term applied to multibillion-dollar investment projects such as vast railways, airports, highways or huge entertainment venues. Such schemes can be economically transformative for a country. Consider the Panama Canal... View Article

Elmhurst Energy welcomes publication of the Bonfield Report

Energy performance measurement specialists Elmhurst Energy has welcomed the publication of the long-awaited “Each Home Matters” report by Peter Bonfield, but has expressed disappointment at some omissions. Despite having the scope of reviewing ‘Consumer Advice, Protection, Standards and Enforcement for... View Article

Traditional style meets modern standards

Tony Wereszczynski of Marley Alutec explains how to achieve the right balance in rainwater and eaves specification when dealing with heritage-style properties. Heritage-style buildings can pose challenges for developers, especially when they are tasked with finding the balance between traditional... View Article

Ignoring heat network metering is an expensive mistake

Cost-cutting on heat metering at the installation stage can be a false economy, but there are ways to avoid the pitfalls, as Anthony Coates-Smith of Insite Energy explains. When housebuilders and developers strive to minimise initial construction costs, they can... View Article

Making an entrance

Patrick Dean of Door-Stop explores the wealth of safe and secure options available to housebuilders looking to make the right entrance. When it comes to specifying a front door for a property, it can seem there is no end of... View Article

A solution to the productivity problem

Sharing knowledge across the supply chain and driving innovation is vital to boost the construction industry’s productivity and meet the UK’s housing needs, says Neil Ash of Siniat UK. The construction industry is suffering from a productivity crisis. Only last... View Article

VIEW POINT: Nigel Ostime

Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown Architects and chair of the RIBA Client Liaison Group discusses the group’s just-published industry survey, which has important revelations on what architects do well, but also what they must improve on The best projects generally come... View Article

Choosing the right workplace settings

Oliver Ronald of The Boss Design Group explains how the emergence of the concept of settings is influencing workplace design to benefit performance Workplace design and furniture specification are no longer just about the space available. The modern office is... View Article

Bridging the divide: a question of choice

David Clarke of IDSystems looks at the options for specifiers when it comes to choosing glazed doors to bring the outside in. Bridging the divide between indoors and outdoors is one of the main reasons homeowners seek to employ ‘open plan’... View Article

A bathroom that works for everyone

Designing a bathroom for multi-ability use is a sensitive process and the influx of products combining style and substance means architects are spoilt for choice. Lisa Ward of Bristan offers expert guidance When planning a residential development, architects face the... View Article

Practice Profile – 2020 Architects

Norman Hayden meets a Northern Ireland team with a clear vision of the future. To produce a much-lauded conversion, have it featured prominently on television, and then win an award for it has to be a dream for most architects. This... View Article

Autumn Statement comment: Policy must drive change

Statements from the Chancellor of the Exchequer aren’t always cause for celebration, but this one has left us feeling cautiously optimistic. Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing at Eurocell, takes a view. Wrapped up as the National Productivity Investment Fund –... View Article

Electricity kills – landlords deserve clarity around safety

The Housing and Planning Act has made it on to the statute books and it includes electrical safety provisions for the private rented sector. Phil Buckle, director general of campaigning consumer charity Electrical Safety First, explains why electrical checks are necessary. Electricity kills one... View Article

Specifying lintels for the energy savvy

Steel lintels can have a crucial impact on a project, especially when it comes to addressing energy conservation. Richard Price, Technical Director at Catnic, provides a useful overview to help architects make a well-informed decision. No matter what type, size, scale... View Article