Retail and rail – the design challenge

Since its creation, the architecture of the railways has been primarily about facilitating transportation. Now, as today’s travellers require multi-tasking spaces, architects and designers need to create retail opportunities as an essential part of the journey from pavement to platform,... View Article

Improving the appearance and thermal efficiency of buildings

Structural defects and poor thermal efficiency are issues affecting a significant number of non-traditional and prefabricated concrete (PRC) buildings. Andy Carter, Structherm’s technical manager, looks at how Structural External Wall Insulation (SEWI) can be used to remediate these problems Many... View Article

One million recruits needed to beat housing crisis

According to a white paper produced by EC Harris, construction companies will need to recruit one million new recruits by 2020 if the industry is to build more homes and beat the housing crisis. The paper, ‘People and money –... View Article

Finding flexibility in home design

According to recent research, location, location, location is no longer the top priority for homebuyers, with larger living areas and flexible space now taking the number one spot in home design needs. It is little wonder these factors are influencing... View Article

Low carbon homes for Sheffield

Little Kelham is an award-winning development of 157 one to four-bedroom low carbon homes in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield. The development of energy efficient and virtually air tight homes is the largest of its type in the UK and... View Article

Homebuyers demand more insight when purchasing property

Research conducted by BLP Insurance suggests that 79 per cent of UK homebuyers want to know more than simply property particulars at the point of sale. More than three-quarters (79 per cent) of UK adults think additional information beyond the... View Article

Putting people back into the heart of planning

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) has always believed that the planning system was invented to help provide a good home, for everyone, in a healthy, thriving place. However, they also believe that over the last few decades something... View Article

So what is the government’s housing policy?

The next few months could define the new government’s housing credentials and firmly set out its housing agenda until the year 2020. Yes the next election does seem a long way into the future but implementing new housing policies is... View Article

What the doctors ordered

Mark Smulian takes a look at the University of Leicester’s new Centre for Medicine, which will be the UK’s largest non-residential Passivhaus project to date Fitting the people and equipment from three departments into a single structure on a constrained... View Article

Specifying external sliding doors

Latest developments in window technology have radically improved the design, performance, and security of fully-glazed external sliding doors for residential use. However, as sliding doors become increasingly sophisticated, specification also becomes more complex. Andy Trewick, VELFAC direct sales manager, comments Site suitability To... View Article

The retail revolution

A tectonic shift has overtaken the retail construction sector over the past five years as retailers have responded to the challenges of persistently weak consumer spending and changes to how and where people shop. Stephen Cousins asks “where is it... View Article

Humid ‘hot spots’ pose health risks

Moisture is produced continuously within the home with the average family generating a staggering 20 litres of water per day. Whilst this may sound harmless, excess moisture within the home can leave occupants vulnerable to a host of health risks.... View Article

New housing stats comment from Mactaggart & Mickel Group

Ed Monaghan, chief executive of Mactaggart & Mickel Group comments on today’s Scottish Government house building figures: “The statistics released by the Scottish Government today showing a continued rise in new build completions are welcome news for the industry and... View Article