Addressing a national problem

Nicolas Maari of multi-disciplinary firm Pellings looks at the challenges for designers around providing interim accommodation for the homeless Homelessness is an ongoing and growing problem, with the number of homeless people increasing by a third between 2012 and 2018.... View Article

Ask the Architect: Alberto Basaglia

Alberto Basaglia, co-founder of Italian firm Basaglia + Rota Nodari Studio, answers ADF’s questions on what influences his designs, the importance of balance, and sustainability Why did you become an architect? When I was a kid, I made a sofa-exercise-bike... View Article

A clearer view of safety

Listen here. Among the functions performed by glass and glazing systems as part of the building envelope, fire safety and protecting lives are critical. Darren Wainwright of SE Controls explains systems’ roles in addressing smoke control and compliance issues Within... View Article

Four ways to prevent & protect against house fire

You may not want to picture this, but imagine you are soundly sleeping on your bed and you instantaneously wake up by flames, smoke, and blaring fire detectors. The scariest vision, right? You and your loved ones are left out... View Article

Three perfect additions to your self built home

There are many advantages that come from designing and building your own home. It gives you an enormous sense of achievement and satisfaction, and it can save you money too. Even more importantly, it allows you to have a home... View Article

Career opportunities for architecture graduates

Some degrees do not lead to a specific job – the best examples include degrees from the humanities or arts – while other degrees such as medical degrees or law degrees lead to particular roles. An architectural degree is somewhere... View Article

Office design – placing nature in the mix

Biophilic design has become firmly entrenched in the modern office psyche in recent years as the office evolves and we take on a more people-focused approach to its design. Cyril Parsons of Office Principles, considers the various means in which... View Article

The great advantages of vinyl flooring for kitchens

Many would agree that one of the busiest rooms in your home is your kitchen. In the kitchen, your family will start and end their day, guests will be entertained, and relentless domestic tasks will be accomplished. The flooring is... View Article

Key considerations for a garage conversion

The base is one of the most important elements of your concrete garage, and if not built correctly you could soon end up with an unstable build rather than the desired strong platform. There are several factors that you should... View Article

What should you look for in door locks?

Door hardware like door handles and locks are critical to our safety and impact our quality of life every time we’re struggling to get the door open. Yet many people keep the door hardware that came with their home or... View Article

Policy Exchange Report on Planning – expert comment

Following The Times’ story on the Policy Exchange report on planning and plans to overhaul the system, Paul Smith, MD of Strategic Land Group commented:  “The planning system is very recognisably the one that existed in 1947 when the socio-economic... View Article

Guide to pre-completion sound testing

Pre-completion testing forms the Part E requirement of the Building Regulations that are in place for new houses, new flats, flat conversions and change of use into flats. Therefore, Part E puts the responsibility on the owner of the property... View Article

An Active Resolution for 2020

At the start of each year it’s customary to make resolutions for the year ahead which, it is hoped, will encourage positive changes. Of course, for all the best intentions, after a few days, weeks or (occasionally) months, these commitments... View Article