Zinc: the natural choice

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc says the history of zinc specification aligns with its future When zinc was first used as a roofing material at the beginning of the 19th century many of the reasons for its choice all that time... View Article

Towards a greener steel future

Andy Hackett of voestalpine Metsec puts the case for putting steel at the core of industry moves towards the goal of net zero carbon 2050, as production begins to evolve away from fossil fuels, and advises a holistic comparison of... View Article

Connections to a golden past

One of the last buildings bearing the signature of Zaha Hadid is a mixed use workplace sitting alongside Prague’s oldest railway station, and inspired by the historic ‘golden city’ and the dynamism of rail travel “Masaryčka can without exaggeration be... View Article

Connections to a golden past

One of the last buildings bearing the signature of Zaha Hadid is a mixed use workplace sitting alongside Prague’s oldest railway station, and inspired by the historic ‘golden city’ and the dynamism of rail travel “Masaryčka can without exaggeration be... View Article

Putting experience into practice

A few previously unencountered bumps in the road on John and Sue’s fifth project were no match for these seasoned self-builders TEXT Jayne Dowle IMAGES CillaCam Photography As a veteran self-builder, John Askew has plenty of advice to share. When... View Article

Making a visual splash

From innovative fixtures to minimalist, seamless designs and natural colour palettes, Hayley Bowman of Frontline Bathrooms explores likely trends for 2025 in the bathroom to help inspire your choices As we near the end of the year, we start to... View Article

A total transformation

Building projects are not normally renowned for being ‘joyous adventures’ but David and Suzanne say their experience in Fife has been exactly that TEXT Nik Hunter IMAGES Robert Perry The couple’s self-build adventures commenced in August 2021 when the couple... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

Navigating a few significant bumps in the road hasn’t deterred Sally and Nick from persevering with a conversion from a Class Q to a full planning permission in Devon, knowing that dream can now become a reality People ask why... View Article

Ask the Expert: The comfort factor from underfloor heating

Andrew Curry of Schlüter-Systems discusses the benefits and installation options for underfloor heating systems, and how to create a cosy and energy-efficient heating solution What are the key benefits of using underfloor heating systems compared to traditional heating methods? It... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Bedrooms

For many of us our bedroom remains the important sanctuary – the ultimate space to switch off at the end of a busy day. Whether you’re creating your own relaxing retreat, a functional yet fun kids’ room or a peaceful... View Article

Using colour to create inclusive spaces

Careful consideration of architectural design is essential for developing spaces that are welcoming, futureproofed, and accessible for all. Dawn Scott of Dulux Trade discusses how colour can transform buildings and improve wellbeing for all Inclusive design is centred on creating... View Article

CCPI: an essential tool for building trust

The Building Safety Act has made it critical for cladding manufacturers to provide accurate product information. Alan Lamming from Valcan discusses how the advent of of CCPI is building a sense of trust among manufacturers and specifiers In today’s industry,... View Article

Navigating the future of sustainable heating

Peter Mintoft of Charlton & Jenrick explores the future of sustainable heating, focusing on ‘secondary’ heating appliances, and their impact on architectural practice The importance of integrating energy-efficient solutions within architectural design has never been more critical. As environmental concerns... View Article

Closing the carpet loop

ADF editor James Parker reports on how one major flooring firm is embracing the challenges of using recycled material but also full reuse of carpet tiles, to achieve sustainability wins at scale across a range of sectors The construction industry... View Article

Are we stuck on a hamster wheel of value engineering?

Christian Hale of high-end residential and commercial specialist contractor Hale.uk wonders whether collaboration can stop the spread of value engineering in the industry.    You’re eagerly awaiting the tender prices. Everyone’s buzzing with the anticipation of bringing the dream to... View Article

A precision-made offsite agenda

Acknowledged for connecting the offsite supply-chain with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors and clients who want to be “future-ready,” Offsite Expo took place recently in Coventry, boasting educational seminars, interactive panel debates, and factory tours, as part of Offsite Construction Week.... View Article

Ask the Architect: Eliot Postma

Eliot Postma, partner & group leader at Heatherwick Studio answers ADF’s questions on how his career has helped shape him as a designer, and what inspires him currently What made you want to become an architect? It goes back to... View Article

The embodiment of sustainable retrofit

Preserving the original structure and character of a notorious estate originally conceived as a ‘vertical garden city’ helped Mikhail Riches’ Stirling Prize-shortlisted redevelopment cut embodied carbon by 61%. Stephen Cousins reports The Park Hill estate has been a landmark on... View Article