Open House London

Despite having no initial plans to alter their traditional Victorian family home in Greenwich, David and Nicola Fleming ended up reinventing it, building two highly contemporary extensions which dramatically improve look and layout. Text: Debbie Jeffery Images: Joseph Trayler/Henri Bredenkamp... View Article

Adaptive reuse, realised

Ben Heath, principal at Grimshaw, looks at how the practice returned to the Herman Miller factory in Bath to realise its original design intent of adaptive reuse, and harness the building’s flexibility to create a new school of art and... View Article

Get on board with fencing trends

Fencing products are now seen as an integral part of a garden’s overall landscape, and an important aesthetic choice. Antony Reed of Birkdale looks at the latest fencing trends, and explores design choices that can garner impressive visual results In... View Article

Playful participation

In designing a riverside replacement for Chelmsford’s main swimming pool and gym, Pick Everard followed a brief to increase local community participation. James Parker reports In 2014, Chelmsford City Council undertook a condition survey on the only sports complex with... View Article

A HAPPI medium

Linden Court is PRP’s response to the Greater London Authority’s call for exemplar housing designed for retirement living. Project architect Mark Walker spoke to Sébastien Reed about how the HAPPI standard was key to the project’s success The Office for National... View Article

Discovering property management software

Property management software is a program made to help acquire and maintain property portfolios, which can be incredibly useful for landlords, letting agents and property managers. Jodie Deakin of Decorus for Sage explains its uses and benefits Property management software... View Article

Exercising fire safety with due diligence

BAFE Fire Safety Register discusses the importance of quality fire safety in housing management As we approach the third anniversary of the tragic Grenfell Tower Fire, premises management teams need to fully understand their legal (and ethical) obligations in keeping... View Article

Holistic sustainability for windows or doors

Martin McCrimmon of CMS Window Systems explains why window and door specifications need to take a holistic view on sustainability for wider social and environmental benefits. The performance capabilities of today’s advanced window and door systems – when designed, manufactured... View Article

Showering solutions

Providing the best showering solutions for refurbishments is arguably more complex than ever before, given the range of choice today. Ann Boardman of Saniflo UK explains how shower cubicles can help. Remember the days when being a student generally meant... View Article

Adding clarity to curtain wall design

Andrew Cooper of Senior Architectural Systems takes a closer look ‘behind the curtain wall’ to reveal the key issues specifiers should consider when choosing aluminium fenestration solutions Aluminium is robust, durable and fully recyclable – a perfect partner for modern-day... View Article

Retail Therapy – Decorative casing solutions for retail

Decorative casings solutions, such as column casings and wall linings, are a fundamental part of contemporary retail design. In addition to providing a practical method of concealing interior and exterior structural steelwork they also add to a building’s aesthetics, style... View Article

The big cover up – Casings for social housing

The ongoing process of routine maintenance, heating system upgrades and new boiler installations, together with the retro-fitting of fire sprinkler systems in high-rise social housing, all demand that the pipework is covered to give a decorative and consistent finish. Pre-formed... View Article

Understanding the dynamics of fast-track construction

The adoption of offsite construction involves upfront capital costs – this is often where comparisons are made between factory-based and traditional building methods. If evaluated in isolation the traditional approach could appear a cheaper option, without taking into consideration the... View Article

Timber frame fire safety in use guidance

With an objective to enhance quality and drive product innovation through technical guidance and research, the Structural Timber Association (STA), as part of their continual development programme, has been collaborating with the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC), the University of... View Article

Right as rain

Sally Moores of Yeoman Rainguard outlines the choices of metal rainwater system available to self-builders, and how to decide which is best for your project With an abundant choice of rainwater systems on the market there is certainly no lack... View Article