Housebuilding is still a struggle

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), discusses the latest data from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey and finds few reasons to cheer As you will be aware, for too long we have not been building... View Article

The brave new world of low carbon retrofit

A large-scale retrofit project to bring energy efficiency of social housing across Northumberland and County Durham up to a C rating saw a housing association deploying robots to upgrade homes with minimal disruption. James Parker reports. The Socal Housing Decarbonisation... View Article

Shaping the future of buildings & decarbonisation

InstallerSHOW – the UK’s largest event for influential installers and specifiers of heat, water, air and energy technology – will discover one of the biggest challenges on the road to net zero, the tools and solutions for decarbonising buildings.  Taking... View Article

Opening up the black box on Part F and ventilation

Following the changes to Part F and Part L of the Building Regulations, housebuilders have been set the challenge of balancing carbon emissions with sufficient airflow to keep homes healthy. The importance of ventilation to health and wellbeing has been... View Article

The rise and rise of SuDS

Mark Manning of water management specialists SDS discusses upcoming legislation on surface water management, and how SuDS will increasingly be the solution Legislation scheduled for introduction in England next year (presently subject to a period of further consultation and full... View Article

Decked out in aluminium

Harriet Keohane from Saige Premium Composite Products shares essential pointers for architects and designers specifying aluminium decking for new build or retrofit projects, to ensure the safety and functionality of outdoor spaces There are key considerations when it comes to... View Article

Take the lift and slide route

Ryan Thompson from SIEGENIA UK explains why architects need to consider lift and slide doors as an aesthetic and secure alternative to the near-ubiquitous choice of recent years that is bifold doors With the recent hot summers and the events... View Article

Break the mould with thermal breaks for balconies

Thermal bridges in balconies considerably affect the overall thermal transmittance of building envelopes and, according to Nicolas De Vrieze from Leviat, can be the main cause of building defects such as condensation, mould formation, and degradation of materials. Here he... View Article

A blend of art & architecture

The former home and studio of renowned Pre-Raphaelite painter Frederic Lord Leighton has evolved as a museum over its long life; its latest reimagining is a sensitive and artistic refurb by BDP, as Tom Boddy reports London is renowned for... View Article

Ask the Architect: Jerry Ryan

As co-founder of London based international architecture and urban design practice HKR Architects, Jerry Ryan shares his passion for the history of architecture, and looks forward to a technological future as the practice celebrates its 30th year What made you... View Article

Site Lines: A heritage refurb checklist

Simon Castle from Chisholm & Winch discusses the varied, but essential considerations that architects need to bear in mind when approaching listed building renovations According to Historic England, there are estimated to be around 500,000 listed buildings on the National... View Article

Modern heating solutions in higher education

Dawn Simpson of Contour Heating provides some key attributes of modern heating solutions and why it is important to consider them while selecting a heating system for educational premises Choosing the right heating system for educational buildings is essential as... View Article

Unspoilt views

Despite being in an unspoilt location in the Cairngorms, a couple worked carefully with their architect to create an eco-friendly holiday home that blends into the landscape and maximises the stunning views TEXT NIK HUNTER IMAGES DAPPLE PHOTOGRAPHY Building a... View Article

Sealing your future

Windows are one of the most important elements of any property, so effectively sealing them for optimum long term energy efficiency must be a top priority, says Andy Swift of ISO-Chemie The success of a renovation or self-build project can... View Article

Open the door to versatility

The world of garage doors is changing. Here Jon Watson of Garador looks at the new trend of multi-use doors and what they can bring to your build Multi-use garages are an accepted part of modern life. While storing and... View Article

Decking as a design tool

Guy Douglass of Millboard takes a look at the versatility of decking and the many different ways it can be used to enhance your home’s exterior There have been many different gardening trends over the years – the ‘70s rockery,... View Article

Three views you can’t put a price on

Securing one priceless Devon view was an major coup for an architect and her husband, but they didn’t realise their build would give them three TEXT Ewen MacDonald IMAGES George Fielding & Nick Yarsley When it comes to creating the... View Article

New wellness priorities

Thain Gummer of LG Electronics looks at best practice for optimising indoor air quality and reducing risks – including using proper HVAC maintenance, monitoring, and certain types of air purification technology With increasing awareness that poor indoor air quality (IAQ)... View Article

Wheel of good fortune

A young couple seeking their first home together in Cumbria brought in family help to maximise the benefits of a site that once housed a water mill, and on which now sits their four-bed property TEXT LAURA SHADWELL IMAGES LUCY... View Article

Open up to light relief around the home

TuffX’s Paul Higgins explains how rooflights can provide innovative solutions to maximise natural light, create dedicated work zones, and balance energy efficiency with comfort in your self-build or renovation Times have changed, and our homes are changing with them. Energy... View Article