Better safety by design

Ben Meek of the Smoke Control Association (SCA) looks at significant upcoming changes to building codes with respect to design for smoke ventilation The British Standard code of practice BS 9991:2015 – ‘Fire Safety in the design, management and use... View Article

Going with the MMC flo

Amanda Mills from Saniflo discusses how pumps can facilitate water discharge from bathrooms and washrooms in a modular building when gravity drainage is not possible – or commercially viable  Modular buildings have never been so popular. For domestic, commercial and... View Article

Aesthetic access control: a balancing act

Daniel May of Consort Architectural Hardware explains why architects and design teams need to find the right balance between aesthetics, functionality and security when specifying access control systems on projects Following innovation and integration over the past decade, access control... View Article

A Part of the Furniture

Chloe Sharp at Rolec discusses Part S regulations and their impact on the future of home and business developments The introduction of EV charge points as part of the national homestead is set to make EVs a part of the furniture.... View Article

Paving the way for change

With demand for new build housing increasing, Michael Davies from AG explains how new legislation will add leverage for architects to benefit from specifying SuDS SuDS represent a collection of strategies, management practices, structures, and design solutions that drain surface... View Article

Futureproofing our heritage

The restrictions that apply to alterations to listed buildings can be significant and challenging, particularly when it comes to balancing energy efficiency and condensation control, as Callum Anderson from A. Proctor Group explains Protecting listed buildings is about more than... View Article

SENDing a message on design for better inclusivity

LISTEN HERE Catherine Ward from HLM Architects explores the key principles of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) design and their importance for ensuring that every school pupil has a chance to thrive and reach their full potential The past... View Article

Uniting for a net zero future

LISTEN HERE When like-minded people come together with a common purpose, great things can happen. And what could be a more critical reason to do so now, than the need to secure a net-zero future for ourselves and generations to... View Article

Ask the Architect: Marion Room

LISTEN HERE Marion Room, the new director running DMWR Architects’ Manchester studio, answers ADF’s questions on future plans to grow the practice in the north west, and her personal goals What made you want to become an architect? I was... View Article

Euroclass fire ratings: the difference between A1 and A2

John Duffin, Managing Director, Keyfix explains the differences between A1 and A2 of the Euroclass fire rating system. Despite the government’s temporary exemption of the combustible product ban on buildings over 18m, Keyfix and many of its industry peers are... View Article

Future-roofing

With a global gas supply crunch, issues with renewables and strong demand pushing up energy prices, the energy efficient design of roofing and insulation is vitally important for homeowners, as Lisa Grosse from Cedral explains In 2025, The Future Homes... View Article

Sheffield steel

Kitchen thieves, a collapsing roof, and then a pandemic would be enough to make anyone throw in the towel on a renovation project, but Suzanne and David Williamson are made of sterner stuff TEXT & IMAGES HEATHER DIXON The Williamsons... View Article

Paving responsibly for rainwater runoff

Chris Hodson from Interpave explains the importance of taking a responsible approach to rainwater runoff from paving around both new and existing homes to protect them and the wider community Another year of flooding around the UK provides a timely... View Article

Best of both worlds

Dealing with planners can be a frustrating business, but to modernise a substantial Victorian building in Devon, Geoff Hall also had to negotiate heritage surveyors, ecologists, conservationists and archaeologists TEXT EWEN MACDONALD IMAGES CO CREATE ARCHITECTS A ramshackle 19th century home... View Article

Money to burn?

Installing a wood burning stove in your home can not only save you money on your heating bills but can also enhance the aesthetic value of your living space. Dennis Milligan of the British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA)... View Article

Building a case for keeping it clay

A campaign has been launched to inform self-builders on why they should stay with clay brick rather than look at concrete newcomers. Keith Aldis of the Brick Development Association explains further The campaign we have launched features an illustrated comparative... View Article

Converted to Class Q

For Kat & Tris Baxter-Smith, the challenge of converting an agricultural barn on the farm belonging to Tris’ family – to his own design – became a lesson in the pros and cons of Class Q permitted development  TEXT ROSEANNE... View Article

Home Styling: Designs that work for you

LISTEN HERE Hybrid working is here to stay, so it’s no surprise that a dedicated workspace has become a staple of houses’ layouts. But where do you start when planning a home office? Steve Hird of Edward Thomas Interiors gets... View Article

Ask the Expert: Fully kitted up

LISTEN HERE Your choice of construction method will affect almost every aspect of your project. Derek Dawson of Scandia Hus answers some common questions on kit homes, explaining how they can be the ‘ultimate solution’ for a self-build WHAT IS... View Article