Open to alternatives to open-plan living

LISTEN HERE Ben Brocklesby of Origin offers his advice to self-builders looking to create more functional floor plans, which move away from open-plan to ‘broken-plan’  The way we use our homes has changed significantly in the past three years. The... View Article

Rural charm & heritage in harmony

LISTEN HERE Discover the remarkable journey of Chris and Sarah Dale as they breathe new life into a centuries-old barn, turning it into a light-filled haven TEXT EWEN MACDONALD IMAGES MATTHEW SMITH ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY When Chris and Sarah Dale purchased... View Article

The golden path to safety

LISTEN HERE Dean Asher from Polypipe Building Products offers some pointers for industry on how best to ensure it is complying with the Building Safety Act’s requirements, particularly the golden thread’s new responsibilities for design, build and maintenance Many in... View Article

Modular methods of construction

LISTEN HERE Is modular construction the missing jigsaw piece needed to solve the UK’s housing crisis? HKR Architects’ Ayna Azhigali says it is, and that aesthetics need not be an issue We are all acutely aware of the housing crisis... View Article

Finding a new groove

As a prominent adaptive reuse scheme on the Grand Union Canal in West London, The Gramophone Works sees Studio RHE employing modern timber technology to create a healthy work environment which also sustains the former record label HQ’s vibrant spirit.... View Article

Finding a new groove

LISTEN HERE As a prominent adaptive reuse scheme on the Grand Union Canal in West London, The Gramophone Works sees Studio RHE employing modern timber technology to create a healthy work environment which also sustains the former record label HQ’s... View Article

Live online spiral and helical staircase CPD

LISTEN HERE With over 30 years’ experience in the design, manufacture and installation of spiral, helical and cantilever staircases, Spiral UK’s expertise is well placed to offer bespoke staircase CPD.    Sessions are normally 30-40 minutes depending on questions and... View Article

Smart roof specification

LISTEN HERE Local authorities can better support social housing tenants through smart and well-timed roofing specification choices, as Stuart Nicholson from Marley explains Over the past year, and for several reasons, residential energy costs have increased. For many social housing... View Article

HOMES UK is an unmissable event

LISTEN HERE In 2023, housing providers face increased obligations to simultaneously: improve housing standards and tackle disrepair, empower tenants, meet net zero targets, address building safety and increase housing supply. In the face of limited resources, it’s more important than... View Article

Maintaining smoke control systems

LISTEN HERE Recent high-profile incidents have reaffirmed the need for regular smoke control system maintenance carried out by competent contractors. David Mowatt from the Smoke Control Association (SCA), examines the latest maintenance requirements Waiting until it is too late to... View Article

Revolutionising access control

Rhys McNichol from Videx Security explains how remote entry management is transforming the approach to access control across local authority and housing association developments In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of online and remote security management, housing associations and local authorities... View Article

Breaking the mould

Kathryn Tormay from Crown Paints discusses how anti-mould paints can help landlords and housing providers fight mould and damp, amidst a stubborn cost-of-living crisis The cost-of-living crisis looks set to continue into this winter. With energy prices remaining high, tenants... View Article

To the new Part L – and beyond!

LISTEN HERE New updates to the Building Regulations go some way to cutting emissions – but construction firms have the chance to go further, argues Nicola Harrison of Bereco July 2023 was recently confirmed as the hottest month on record... View Article

Comment – Housing benefits politicians

LISTEN HERE Brian Berry of FMB looks at the political manoeuvrings on housing as we approach the General Election buildup Looking back at my article from this time last year, it’s astonishing how far we’ve come, and what has changed.... View Article

Rewarding sustainability at the Brick Awards 2023

This year’s Brick Awards continues the organisers’ key focus on sustainability, with the Sustainability Award again featuring, following its introduction in 2022. The awards, which are organised by the Brick Development Association will be held at a ceremony at the... View Article

Unzipping an unusual mix

The Berlin-based practice behind a mixed use project in Düsseldorf containing healthcare, hotel and residential functions, speaks to Tom Boddy about its first high rise building – and its zip-like aluminium facade Rising 19 stories above the grounds of the... View Article

Unzipping an unusual mix

The Berlin-based practice behind a mixed use project in Düsseldorf containing healthcare, hotel and residential functions, speaks to Tom Boddy about its first high rise building – and its zip-like aluminium facade Rising 19 stories above the grounds of the... View Article