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

Written by Simon McWhirter, Head of Engagement at Active Building Centre. 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... View Article

Addressing the challenges of senior housing in the UK

Almost 25% of the UK’s population is over 65 and by 2050, this proportion will have grown to an estimated 37%, according to Property Consultants Bidwells insight. While there are ambitious carbon neutral targets for this date, the planning for the care... View Article

How has technology impacted the construction industry?

Advancements in technology have resulted in major changes within all industries in recent years. While mostly associated with offices and IT businesses, technology has also impacted manual sectors such as the construction industry. Here, we’ll look at some of the... View Article

View Point: Anthony Thistleton

Architect Anthony Thistleton gives the lowdown on the carbon realities of timber, and explains why misconceptions around CLT on fire safety grounds need to be corrected As the world finally wakes up to the task ahead in mitigating climate breakdown, there... View Article

Practice Profile: Assembledge+

Already having wide-ranging expertise, Hollywood, USA-based practice Assembledge+ saw its urban planning capabilities greatly enhanced when the founder took the unusual step of recruiting his father to join him. Sébastien Reed reports After graduating with a Bachelors and Master’s degree... View Article

What is construction insurance?

Construction insurance is a must for every construction project that is carried out. The term construction insurance in itself is given to a multitude of insurance policies that provide coverage for the likes of natural disasters, property damage or third-party... View Article

The dynamics of a building

The lines between different segments have blurred, and buildings are adopting a variety of identities, which may reflect the characteristics of various segment designs. Here, Marijke Griffioen of Forbo Flooring Systems, discusses these trends and how the use of a... View Article

Let the sunshine in but keep the heat out

Solar Control Glasses: From a luxurious item in the age of fossil fuel to a new benchmark in the era of climate change. The air at the earth’s surface has already warmed up considerably. In 2016, the mean global near-surface... View Article

Removing the barriers to progress

Richard Harral of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) discusses how the ongoing Part L consultation is the clear way forward to genuine carbon reductions, including closing the performance gap. For all those of us who believe that we... View Article

Where was housing during the election?

Click here to listen. Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) highlights the lack of focus on housing during the recent election campaigns, and explores what the new Government can do to aid the sector going forward. After... View Article

From the editor

Berkeley Group’s recent results announcement would seem to show some fairly sobering truths for the housebuilding sector, particularly in London where the group is largely active. However in fact, they did not come as a surprise to the market or... View Article

View Point: Kelly Watson of Hatch Regeneris

With architects increasingly asked to demonstrate the added value of their work, Dr Kelly Watson of Hatch Regeneris discusses how they can more explicitly harness the wider social value of projects The social value agenda has visibly gained prominence and... View Article