The best of both worlds

City & Country’s development in north Essex was designed and built with its green history in mind, creating a high quality development that respects the landscape and history of its location. Roseanne Field reports. Situated on the boundary of Essex... View Article

Make your bathroom work

The Bathroom Association’s Tom Reynolds shares practical advice to help self-builders design better bathrooms – sustainable, compliant and perfectly suited to modern living. Bathrooms are among the most personal and most used spaces in any home, yet they’re often one... View Article

London Build’s 10th birthday

19-20 November  London Build Expo London Build is taking over Olympia’s Grand and National Halls on 19 and 20 November, celebrating 10 years of connecting the construction industry. To mark the milestone, this year’s event will offer more content, networking,... View Article

From draughty to dreamy

When Deborah Shafier and her husband Alex set out to transform their Edwardian home in London, they wanted more than just extra space; they envisioned a cosy, sustainable sanctuary.  TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Juliet Murphy/Iguana Architects “We spent most of... View Article

View Point: Rabia Charef and Frantz Gault

Rabia Charef of Lancaster University, and sociologist and author Frantz Gault, invite designers to rethink how we build – and shift from a human-centred mindset to one where nature is a partner, not just a resource. What if architects and... View Article

elementalLONDON debuts!

19-20 November. Excel London ElementalLONDON is a new event coming to London’s Excel on 19-20 November 2025. This new exhibition  for London is focused on the twin aims of advancing building efficiency and decarbonisation. The 4,000 attendees expected at elementalLONDON encompass... View Article

Transform spaces
using natural light

Victoria Brocklesby of Origin shares expert tips on how to use glazing to create brighter homes. Natural light is one of the most powerful design tools available to self-builders and renovators. It can transform a space by enhancing its aesthetic,... View Article

Burning bright

Peter Mintoft of Charlton & Jenrick explains the Government’s decision to allow woodburning stoves in new homes under the Future Homes Standard and the impact for self-builders. Despite increasing environmental regulations, the UK Government has confirmed that woodburning stoves will... View Article

A foundation of trust

Jane and Sam Arman admit that they were complete novices when it came to the world of building renovation, but as professionals themselves, they decided to pay heed to the advice they were given. TEXT Nik Hunter IMAGES ZAC and... View Article

Opening the door to space, style & smart living

Louise Stacey of Eclisse discusses how pocket doors can transform your home by maximising space, enhancing light and creating seamless flow between rooms. For anyone embarking on a self-build journey, every design choice matters. From the orientation of the windows... View Article

Whole-home integration is the future

From comfort and efficiency to long-term resilience, Rick Clarke at NIBE reveals why whole-home integration is essential for today’s self-builders. Self-builders today aren’t just designing houses, they’re shaping futureproof, connected homes. In the UK’s self-build and renovation market, the focus... View Article

Unlocking finance for your dream home

BuildStore Mortgage Services’ Tom McSherry tells The Selfbuilder’s James Parker how self-build mortgages work, the options available, and why early financial planning is key to a successful project. What are the different types of self-build mortgages on offer, and how... View Article

The point of WCs in BREEAM

David Davis of MEP engineer G&H says that with BREEAM remaining a well-used method for assessing sustainability goals, choosing the right product choices for earning points needs to be a prority, and why toilets are a key component. Achieving higher... View Article

Why modern wood burning stoves belong in Future Homes

Erica Malkin of the Stove Industry Association explains why modern wood burning stoves offer architects a low carbon, resilient secondary heat source for sustainable home design, and one which is now backed by policy. As the UK moves toward net... View Article

An education in colour

It is well known that colour can have a profound impact on building occupants; Dawn Scott at Dulux Trade explains how in educational environments, it can be used to enhance learning and wellbeing for students. Across the built environment, colour... View Article

The embodiment of quality?

Reyan Clarey of CA Group discusses the challenge facing the industry of balancing embodied carbon targets against design quality in the race to net zero. Decision makers are looking for a simple metric by which to measure products’ sustainability credentials.... View Article

Reporting on the future

Dorothe Kessels and Thomas Eurlings of Forbo Flooring Systems discuss how trend reports are helping to shape the future of design, helping architects create spaces that meet modern expectations and inspire creativity. Trends are a crucial part of the architectural... View Article

High performance

GT3 Architects’ new Passivhaus leisure centre in Staines has set a new bar for larger leisure projects in terms of both community engagement and building performance. Roseanne Field reports. A leisure centre built in the Surrey town of Staines has... View Article

Don’t overlook thermal breaks

Paul Beech of Armatherm discusses the importance of understanding where thermal bridging can occur in housebuilding projects, such as around balconies, and why the solutions available should not be overlooked. When you think of thermal bridging, it’s most common that... View Article

Dealing with damp

Stephen Boulton at F. Ball & Co. Ltd. provides crucial advice to guard against the problems caused by excess subfloor moisture when installing floor coverings. Unchecked subfloor moisture, whether residual construction moisture or rising damp, can attack flooring adhesives and... View Article