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

The Climate Challenge – Building a Greener Future

Cassandre Le Galliard of Aggregate Industries discusses the driving factors housebuilders are facing concerning embodied carbon in cement Housebuilders are at the forefront of the move towards creating an eco-friendlier environment, incorporating high-quality materials, low carbon technologies and green energy... View Article

The handmade tale

Jason Hughes of Imperial Bricks lays down the reasons for using handmade bricks, from increasing kerb appeal, to home value and saleability.  In the past few years there’s been a significant increase in demand for handmade bricks. The variety of... View Article

No Access? Give tenants a stronger voice

In an increasingly complex landscape, where consumer and compliance standards have been thrust into the spotlight, Gary Haynes of Voicescape discusses the issue of no-access and why reducing no-access rates and increasing tenant engagement through innovation are more important than... View Article

The key steps to staircase safety

Kevin Underwood of the British Woodworking Federation outlines the vital importance of good staircase design when it comes to preventing injuries The risks presented by stairs are self-evident. While a homeowner may believe that this type of accident would not... View Article

Landlord Latest: Rykneld Homes

Rykneld Homes is responsible for the management, maintenance and improvement of properties and neighbourhoods in North East Derbyshire Rykneld Homes Ltd manages around 7,600 social properties across North East Derbyshire. Our footprint contains four towns, with surrounding rural areas, with... View Article

Raising the standard?

Jonathan Ducker of Kingspan Insulation GB, discusses the shortcomings of the Future Homes Standard, and why a more ambitious approach is needed for the building fabric in particular to create ‘net zero ready’ homes. At the end of 2023, the... View Article

Offsite timber systems are on the menu

The Structural Timber Association talks through timber-based offsite technology and how it can provide self-builders with the ultimate solution in terms of accuracy, control and cost-effectiveness Any structural method created in a factory away from the building site comes under... View Article

Navigating the world of wastewater

Sequencing Batch Reactor technology should be the way forward for wastewater management, says David Stagg of Graf UK The world of wastewater treatment has become a dynamic, complex, and challenging one. Nutrient neutrality that requires reductions in nitrates and phosphates,... View Article

Recycled material versus design flexibility?

Nick Haughton of Sapphire Balconies delves into the concept of ‘next generation’ manufacturing, and the need for firms to account for their recycled materials’ origin,  addressing the perceived impact on design flexibility Aluminium has been instrumental in companies advancing sustainable... View Article

Why Floor Coverings Matter

Agustina Memoli of Uplyfted discusses the importance of floor coverings in Social Housing and asks can a home be a decent one without floor coverings? Day in and day out we observe how floor coverings play a pivotal role in... View Article

An airtight case for MVHR in new homes

Ruth MacEachern of EnviroVent explains why mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems are the key to improving energy efficiency in modern homes. Housebuilders are building to ever more stringent Building Regulations requirements for airtightness, however to ensure an energy efficient... View Article

Having the vision

Alissa and David Talbot transformed their cramped London maisonette into a beautiful and practical home to house their growing family TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Joe Whitmore/Carta Nova It was the summer of 2021 and Alissa and David were living in... View Article

Savvy with SuDS

Samantha Hursey of Meadfleet Open Space Management discusses the practicalities of maintaining SuDS and how they can bring amenity to new housing developments. Sustainable Drainage Systems or SuDS, not only play a key role on residential developments in mitigating the... View Article

More brands, more stands, more fun

27-29th September Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre Screwfix LIVE, the “omnichannel” retailer’s flagship event dedicated to trade and DIY enthusiasts, is coming back to Farnborough in September. The free-to-enter show is returning to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre... View Article

Stepping up to Support Older Residents

Peter Wingrave of AAT GB Ltd asks, is it time for a step change in the way we approach dealing with the crisis in our housing market? The biggest sector of growth is that of elderly tenants. Indeed, according to... View Article

Fire Door Safety Week

Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) explores how legislation is driving forward fire safety standards and how Fire Door Safety Week remains crucial for raising awareness of fire doors and their life saving role This September Fire Door... View Article