Choosing the right slate

Steven Pearson at CUPA PIZARRAS explores the importance of material selection for longevity and why your new home’s roof is one area where it doesn’t pay to cut corners. If there’s one thing that’s certain about building your own home,... View Article

NSBRC Masterclass: Passivhaus

With rising energy costs and growing awareness of how our homes affect our health, Passivhaus is no longer a niche ambition. From new builds to deep retrofits, this proven performance standard is helping homeowners create comfortable, future-ready homes and the... View Article

Retrofit made simpler

With millions of social homes still sitting below an EPC rating of C, a data-led retrofit model is emerging to help landlords tackle varied portfolios, as Luke Gale at Wienerberger explains. Across the UK, the challenge facing social housing providers... View Article

MVHR: The missing link

Craig Cundey at Ubbink UK explains why MVHR systems are the missing link in delivering healthy, future proof social housing for both new build and retrofit. As housing associations and local authorities continue to face mounting pressure to improve building... View Article

Nurturing the roots of innovation

After attending our decarbonisation round table and witnessing the ingenuity of SMEs in this space, Alison Skillen at RISE explains why they need wider support and promotion in the sector. In October 2025 I attended the Building Insights LIVE round... View Article

Ask the Expert: Shelforce’s social mission

James Parker speaks to Howard Trotter, business manager at Shelforce, about how the firm’s ethical founding values help it address new safety regulations in a robust and integrity-focused way. Shelforce has been part of Birmingham City Council for decades, supplying... View Article

Unlocking the value of EPDs

Marvyn Candler at Lignacite explores why Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are now under increasing scrutiny – and how robust, independently verified data supports evidence-based specification and credible carbon reduction in architectural design. Environmental claims in construction are increasingly questioned by... View Article

Ventilation is no longer in the background

Dave Harding of Gilberts Blackpool looks at the raised profile of ventilation systems, which is leading to a better appreciation by architects of their importance. It’s refreshing to see how the means of heating and cooling a space are now... View Article

An uplifting message for drainage in conversions

Amanda Mills at SFA Saniflo discusses how lifting stations can prove an effective method for discharging waste from buildings in change of use projects. One of the most crucial elements of reconfiguring an existing building for a new purpose is... View Article

Delivery under pressure

Samuel Sturgiss at offsite specialist Wernick explores how modular construction is influencing early-stage architectural design, procurement strategy, and sustainability outcomes across a pressurised UK built environment. The UK construction sector is facing a convergence of pressures that are redefining how... View Article

selfbuilder Diaries

From reserving a serviced plot to moving into a high-performance home, Martin and Siobhann reflect on two challenging, rewarding years of self-building on the edge of the Lake District. If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be... View Article

Smart space solutions

Wall-hung toilets are transforming modern bathroom design in new-build homes. Sonia De Gioia at Geberit explains how these space saving solutions meet homeowner expectations while offering flexibility, hygiene, and premium appeal for developers. As the UK housing market continues to... View Article

Practice Profile: WGP Architects

Kim Neville explores WGP’s 20-year journey, including how it trademarked a model for human-centred, sustainable design, while pursuing AI and a collaborative culture to drive impactful architecture. WGP is a relatively young practice, founded just 20 years ago. As with... View Article

The real value of AI for architects

Karl Smith at Creative ITC explains how architectural practices can move from experimenting with AI to strategic integration, by leveraging structured data for measurable outcomes – thereby building their capability to serve future needs. More than half of architecture professionals... View Article

Extracting maximum natural value

A new ‘garden village’ in Cornwall is the result of years of hard work, repurposing former clay quarries into a low carbon settlement with community and green living at its heart. Roseanne Field reports on how LHC Design tackled a... View Article

View Point: Trevor Morriss

Trevor Morriss, principal at SPPARC, discusses its “heritage-led” adaptive reuse of Modernist icon Ravenscourt Park Hospital into new London housing; and what architects can learn from its guiding principles of fresh air and sunlight, a century on. Despite its key... View Article

Choosing a kitchen that lasts

Sebastian Aronowitz, founder of The London Kitchen Company explores why material choice is so important when designing a kitchen, deserving the same attention as the overall appearance. Kitchens are usually chosen for how they look. Layout, door style, colour and... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Home Office

With more of us working from home than ever before, it’s increasingly common for self-builders to create a dedicated working space. Find inspiration in our selection of products, whether your space will be a small-but-functional corner or a full blown... View Article

Heat pump evolution

James Parker speaks to Rick Clarke, product manager at NIBE, about why air source heat pumps are not the only answer, and how self-builders can benefit from an array of user-friendly smart tech to fine tune their heating’s efficiency. WHAT... View Article

Ensuring safety & compliance

Ruth MacEachern at EnviroVent looks at ensuring compliance with ventilation regulations and achieving good indoor air quality in new homes. Approved Document F of Building Regulations has set stringent requirements for ventilation in new homes, with a greater focus on... View Article