Estate of independence

Before newly-independent housing association Salix Homes got involved, other contenders had been put off by the scale of demolition needed at a major estate renovation in Salford. Terry McBride of Salix explains to Jack Wooler how they achieved vital community... View Article

Bringing a sense of community

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Plaza Collection is a ‘community’ of over 700 units being created in Mill Hill, London, with its focal point a new landscaped plaza alongside extensive commercial space. Terence Luo, director at developer Poly UK, talks to Jack... View Article

Bringing glass back 
into balconies

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Andy Lake of Pyroguard explores how glass can be used safely in balcony applications, as well as the various factors for housebuilders and developers to consider to ensure the right solution is specified. It’s no secret that... View Article

A holistic approach to heating efficiency

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Ashley Cooper of WMS explains why underfloor heating is in the spotlight following new requirements in the Building Regulations, and how the housebuilders can benefit from taking a holistic approach to system design. Following enforcement of the... View Article

Tracing the golden thread in balcony design

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Nick Haughton of Sapphire Balconies discusses how the ‘golden thread’ concept can improve data in projects to benefit the design and delivery of balconies for multi-occupancy apartment buildings.  The ‘golden thread’ is a term used for an... View Article

Timesaving solutions for flooring installations

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Flooring installations in social housing settings often face pressure to be completed as quickly as possible. Fortunately, certain processes and combinations of innovative new products can dramatically cut the time this takes. Neil Sanders from F. Ball... View Article

Housing returns to Manchester this June

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Housing, the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference – and what is said to be Europe’s largest housing festival – returns to its usual timeline and will take place 28-30 June at Manchester Central. In 2022, there... View Article

Raising the roof for social housing retrofits

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Stuart Nicholson of Marley discusses some of the ways a full roof system, incorporating solar PV, can have a positive impact on rising energy prices. The social housing whitepaper outlined the Government’s commitment to review the Decent... View Article

The devil is in the detail

Richard Richardson-Derry of GEZE UK looks at how a properly fitted fire door with the appropriate components can give occupants vital time to escape in the event of a fire Despite what most people believe, toxic smoke is the cause... View Article

Water neutrality can’t be an afterthought

Adam Dean from SDS raises the challenging question of reducing our water footprint and dives into the concept of water neutrality Are you familiar with the concept of water neutrality? The chances are, like most people, the term ‘carbon neutral’... View Article

Moisture management

Unmanaged excess subfloor moisture is the leading cause of floor failure and frequently results in delays to projects, major inconvenience and expense when remedial work is required. Stephen Boulton at F. Ball and Co provides crucial advice to guard against... View Article

Getting into the groove of decking

From designing an outdoor play or dining area to a nature reserve or urban development, carefully planned landscaping – including decking – has a role to play. Laura Qualters from Marley discusses Decking continues to be a popular way of... View Article

Home Styling: Make room for relaxation

While you may already know how you want your kitchen and bathroom to look, the crucial space that is the living room can be more tricky to conceptualise. Interior designer Claire Rendall of Berkeley Place provides some styling tips Living... View Article

Bridge the thermal gap

Improving the thermal performance of building envelopes has become increasingly  important, and designers need to be aware of how significantly thermal bridges can compromise the value of insulation, says Simon Hill of Schöck A thermal bridge is a localised area of... View Article

Site Lines: A renewed focus on resilience

With demolishing structures being a carbon-intensive pursuit, Trevor Morriss, principal at architects SPPARC, explains why buildings must be constructed to stand the test of time as we race to reach carbon goals The embodied carbon released when a building is... View Article

Looking into timber

Richard Dollar from The Sash Window Workshop discusses what self-builders should consider when choosing wooden framed windows for their home, in order to ensure that the windows not only look right, but also help make it more comfortable to live... View Article

Laying out the options

With flooring being the first thing you feel underfoot every morning, it’s important to consider all factors when specifying a floor that works within your home. Here, leading suppliers Quick-Step and Abingdon Flooring provide their insights into the options when... View Article

Seeing the light of day

Choosing the most suitable rooflight for your build can be anything but straightforward, with a variety of important aspects to consider including shape, size, and the materials it’s made from. Paul Trace from Stella Rooflight offers some practical advice to... View Article

High-quality student accommodation on the rise

Nicola Ball of architects KKA says that as universities face greater competition to attract students from both home and abroad, accommodation has become an important differentiator, which has led to standards rising across the country Student accommodation is not what... View Article