Ceramics’ creative freedom

Ceramic cladding can offer designers creative freedom by uniting ‘timeless materiality’ with modern performance. So says Robert Flello of Ceramics UK, exploring how ceramics are increasingly used to shape contemporary buildings, bringing versatility, sustainability, and innovation. Ceramics have been part... View Article

Ask the Expert: Smarter finance for developers

Following a recent Building Insights podcast with Housebuilder & Developer editor James Parker, BuildStore Mortgage Services’  Tom McSherry explains the importance of transparency, tailored solutions, and early financial planning for bridging development finance. Could you explain the difference between regulated... 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

Conflicting messages point to a slow recovery in the market

With a mixed picture of busy sites and stalled projects, Patrick Mooney sees an uneven slow recovery in the housing market, which still faces several obstacles. Challenging housebuilding conditions are forecast to continue through the second half of the year,... 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 housing target – out of practice?

Pressure is mounting on the construction sector, planners and policymakers to hit the Government’s housing targets. Patrick Mooney outlines what must change to achieve them, and who will be left behind if it doesn’t. In 10 years’ time the development... View Article

High hopes for low value Green Belt

David Churchill, partner at estate agent Carter Jonas, argues that a more flexible approach to releasing low value Green Belt land could help meet housing targets without compromising the countryside, or sustainability goals. Throughout the General Election campaign, the Green... View Article

Defence of the realm

As climate change intensifies, the UK’s environment and buildings face mounting risks. Kirsty Girvan of the UK Green Building Council outlines why urgent, systemic action is needed to adapt to the changes being seen. The climate crisis is no longer... View Article

Practice Profile: Fereday Pollard

Kim Neville speaks to practice co-founder Chris Pollard to uncover how the privately-owned firm, turning 30 this year, specialises in large-scale infrastructure projects with the differentiator of putting ‘humanising architecture’ at the forefront. Fereday Pollard was established in 1995 by... View Article

View Point: Dr Stephen Hamil

Dr Stephen Hamil of NBS explains why better data standards and Digital Product Passports are vital to fix the industry’s fragmented systems and safeguard its future. For several years now, UK construction has been beset by issues around material quality,... View Article

Social housing delivery crisis

Patrick Mooney explores how social housebuilders are falling far short of targets, with severe underinvestment, rising homelessness, and regulatory pressures undermining efforts to deliver the new homes urgently needed. A fall in the number of new homes started by housing associations... View Article

What does planning reform mean for you

With the benefit of 20 years of experience navigating planning policy, Mark Mirams, chief operations officer at Studio Charrette, gives readers a no-nonsense view of the practical changes brought by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. At Studio Charrette, we know... View Article

Engineering-out structural emissions early

Jack Brunton and Ioana Price of AECOM explore how designers can redefine carbon calculations by assessing carbon at the early design and optioneering stage. The built environment is a significant contributor to the UK’s carbon emission and is responsible for... View Article

Practice Profile: AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis is a firm that has redefined architectural practice, blending engineering precision with people-centred design, with sustainability and collaboration to the fore. Kim Neville reports. AtkinsRéalis’ journey began with an unorthodox move, establishing an architecture arm within what was formerly... View Article

The cost of ending homelessness

Preventing further increases in homelessness will only be possible with billions being invested in new housing, says Patrick Mooney, with record-high rough sleeping and temporary accommodation figures exposing the urgent need for action. The overwhelming case in favour of building... View Article

Landlord Latest: Platform Housing Group

Since 1967, Platform Housing Group has put a strong focus on providing affordable, safe homes – serving over 120,000 people since forming. With 2,000 dedicated colleagues, COO Marion Duffy explains how Platform is building a truly modern, customer-focused HA that’s... View Article

Embracing positive change

The rental sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by legislative reform, rising tenant demand, and growing corporate investment. Andy Jones of Leaders Romans Group explores the challenges and opportunities ahead. A radical transformation is occurring in the rental sector. A... View Article

Ambitious plans

Lawrence Turner of planning consultants Boyer discusses how the revised NPPF aims to meet Labour’s ambitious housing targets, from brownfield passports to grey belts. Following Angela Rayner’s promise in July 2024 to spearhead a ‘decade of renewal’ with an ambitious... View Article