Sourcing done right

Jane Buxey from the stone industry’s trade body speaks to Hutton Stone’s Marcus Paine about what the sector’s focus on ethical sourcing means in practice. Stone Federation Great Britain is the official trade association for the natural stone industry, which... View Article

Will brick facades slip up?

Arup’s Alexis Harrison says that while the bricks sector has responded to increased demand from architects seeking to use the material in highly crafted exteriors, they still have questions about the long-term performance of brick slips. When I joined the... View Article

Let’s face the music and dance

James Parker looks at the prospects for house building and gives his forthright views on Brexit. Yes, the weather has been appalling in recent weeks – and certain world leaders might be more than troublesome – but you can’t blame... View Article

RIBA responds to the Government’s Spring Statement

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) responds to the Government Spring Statement in which the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, gave an update on the UK economy. Speaking today, RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said: “We welcome positive news on the British economy, but... View Article

1,460 days young

As Resident®, the revolutionary property management software business, celebrates its fourth anniversary, founder and chartered surveyor Kate Boyes reflects on the journey so far. It’s incredible to think that just four years ago Resident® was merely an idea. A nagging... View Article

Future Watch – Embracing density

James Parker looks at how the new London Plan could transform the capital, as it puts high-density housing high on the agenda. London’s planning decisions, is still in draft form. When finally published next year it could have big repercussions... View Article

Editor’s Comment – March

In this issue of ADF we focus on the issue of the moment – housing. It is the biggest political football imaginable, with the conflicting demands of 300,000 homes per year to solve the housing crisis, versus developers’ and NIMBYs’... View Article

Do we need a use it or lose it approach to landbanking?

Editor of Housebuilder & Developer, James Parker looks at whether government needs to do more to get housebuilding moving. Depending on who you listen to, the number of unbuilt housing sites with planning permission is either shamefully high or scandalously... View Article

School’s the key for more women surveyors

As we approach this year’s International Women’s Day graduate surveyor Charlotte Williams is urging schools to do more to make young women aware of surveying as a career. Charlotte, 24, who is completing her training at national property consultancy Bruton... View Article

Site Lines: Designing envelopes for Passivhaus townhouses

Architect Gavin Finnan describes the design of Passivhaus townhouses in a south London regeneration project, focusing on how their external envelope was fundamental to performance. South Gardens is the first phase of Elephant Park, a major regeneration project that sits... View Article

Meeting brick aspirations

Andy Batterham of Ibstock looks at the ongoing renaissance in brick, and how providing for increasing demand for colours, as well as the trend for grey brick, is helping architects and specifiers reinvigorate this traditional building material. It is fair... View Article

Cladding: is our response to tragedy adequate?

FunderMax’s Paul Hughes questions whether the UK is doing enough to prevent further disasters following the Grenfell fire, and suggests where improvements should be made. In the early hours of 14 June 2017 Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey social housing tower... View Article