A flexible future for BNG compliance

Katy Davis at Carter Jonas (London) argues that, a year after biodiversity net gain became mandatory, flexibility is essential to ensure onsite ambition aligns with offsite realities and genuine ecological outcomes. A year after the introduction of mandatory biodiversity net gain... View Article

Building ‘beyond zero’

Rob East of Newland Homes, explains how the Gloucestershire housebuilder took a “conviction-based” decision to redefine its design approach beyond the norm to provide climate-resilient, and even carbon-negative homes. It was our development director, Jeremy Drew, who first raised the... View Article

Suffragette City

A development onsite in London’s Tower Hamlets creates a new neighbourhood on where Suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst first proposed improvements to conditions in the East End, over a century ago. Roseanne Field reports. In Bromley-By-Bow in the London Borough of Tower... View Article

Light fantastic

Designed around a courtyard to echo local farmsteads, Sarah and Jon Simpkin’s unique new home draws in light from every angle. TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES DOM JONES When Sarah and Jon Simpkin set out to build a new home, it... View Article

Home is where
the hearth is

Percy Doughty explores how ambience shapes modern British homes and how self-builders can craft a truly warm, inviting space. As the nights draw in and temperatures begin to fall, the focus naturally shifts indoors. Across the UK, homeowners are re-evaluating... View Article

Creative colourful cladding

Lisa Grosse at Cedral explores how cladding can improve aesthetics, support thermal performance, and offer weather resistance, sustainability and long-term cost savings for self-builders. Whether you’re planning a transformation or a new build, investing in a beautiful exterior means thinking... View Article

The case for designing in structural timber

Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association (STA) takes a look at the variety of factors behind a ‘clear direction of travel’ towards designing with timber. Within the context of net zero, decarbonising building stock has become an imperative, both... View Article

From 19th century roofs to 21st century facades

Jonathan Lowy of VM Zinc traces the architectural history of zinc, from its European origins to a modern role in durable, sustainable building envelopes. In 1811, a roofer in Liège tried something radical; he installed the world’s first rolled zinc... View Article

New power generation

The transformation of one of the UK’s first electricity power stations into a vibrant youth centre combines a respect for industrial heritage with a high voltage interior that’s designed to excite its teenage users. Stephen Cousins reports. Youngsters are of... View Article

HOMES UK 2025

25-26 November. ExceL, London HOMES UK is on 25-26 November 2025, at  ExceL in London. It’s the largest free to attend conference and exhibition of its kind. HOMES UK brings together thousands of housing professionals at the very moment the Autumn... View Article

Precise control for affordable warmth

David Patrick of Dimplex discusses how electric space and water heating solutions can be integrated into a home’s core design to deliver ‘affordable warmth’ for tenants. National Energy Action estimates that there are currently 6.1 million UK households in fuel... View Article

Reimagining the Private Rented Sector

Mark Foxcroft at Devonshires examines how sweeping reforms are reshaping the Private Rented Sector, demanding higher standards, professional management, and shifting power toward institutional landlords. The UK’s Private Rented Sector (PRS) is facing a seismic shift. Long characterised by fragmented... View Article

Social value: from policy to practice

Nicola Dibb & Jo Davis explore how meaningful social value can be delivered through the planning system in developments, to benefit all. Social value has evolved from a ‘nice-to-have’ into a fundamental pillar of planning policy, procurement, and project delivery.... View Article

Tackling the myths around offsite BNG delivery

Nathan Jenkinson of Environment Bank explores some of the myths around achieving biodiversity net gain offsets, and puts the case for wide usage of Habitat Banks. Offsite biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a much misunderstood subject. The most cited issues, expense... View Article

The best of both worlds

City & Country’s development in north Essex was designed and built with its green history in mind, creating a high quality development that respects the landscape and history of its location. Roseanne Field reports. Situated on the boundary of Essex... View Article

View Point: Rabia Charef and Frantz Gault

Rabia Charef of Lancaster University, and sociologist and author Frantz Gault, invite designers to rethink how we build – and shift from a human-centred mindset to one where nature is a partner, not just a resource. What if architects and... View Article

elementalLONDON debuts!

19-20 November. Excel London ElementalLONDON is a new event coming to London’s Excel on 19-20 November 2025. This new exhibition  for London is focused on the twin aims of advancing building efficiency and decarbonisation. The 4,000 attendees expected at elementalLONDON encompass... View Article

A healthy new life

Lidingödoktorn Health Centre, Sweden White Arkitekter reimagined the historic AGA factory in Stockholm as a healthcare centre that echoes the quality heritage of its predecessor with a sustainability-focused and person-centred building. Alexandra Pratt reports. The relocation of the Lidingödoktorn Health... View Article

Whole-home integration is the future

From comfort and efficiency to long-term resilience, Rick Clarke at NIBE reveals why whole-home integration is essential for today’s self-builders. Self-builders today aren’t just designing houses, they’re shaping futureproof, connected homes. In the UK’s self-build and renovation market, the focus... View Article

Unlocking finance for your dream home

BuildStore Mortgage Services’ Tom McSherry tells The Selfbuilder’s James Parker how self-build mortgages work, the options available, and why early financial planning is key to a successful project. What are the different types of self-build mortgages on offer, and how... View Article