Fit for purpose

During their long saga to build a home with stables on an exposed site on the west coast of Scotland, David and Louisa Wallace discovered that bigger isn’t necessarily better when they had to edit their plans down TEXT NIK... View Article

The heritage is in the detail

Andy Sharlot, chief designer at IG Masonry Support, explains how a mixed use scheme in south London required a high level of detail to achieve an authentic brickwork look that complemented repurposed Victorian structures The restoration and transformation of Victorian... View Article

View Point: Tom Dollard of Pollard Thomas Edwards

Architect Tom Dollard from Pollard Thomas Edwards looks at the likely impact of an AECOM-led research project into creating affordable low carbon housing at scale, highlighting the potential but also the serious barriers that remain Building for 2050 is a... View Article

Beware the dark side

Johanna Elvidge from Marshalls explores new findings that reveal how users’ perceptions of safety in public spaces change depending on the time of day, and how specifiers need to take this into account During winter months, streets and public spaces... View Article

A clear-cut case for glass

While the uninterrupted aesthetics of glass balustrades make them undeniably appealing, there are several considerations to be aware of from a safety and installation viewpoint, as Simon Boocock of CRL explains Glass is a trending material for stairs and balustrades,... View Article

Heating that’s fit for the future

The radiator industry has responded to the challenge posed by lower temperature heating systems using renewable methods, as Chris Harvey from Stelrad Radiators explains The development of lower temperature heating systems, utilising renewable heating appliances – such as ground source... View Article

A fix for high performance

Paul Brown from Swifix looks at the development of new EWI solutions that avoid old timber methods and combine performance with aesthetic appeal The external wall insulation industry has accelerated in importance for architects, developers, contractors and consumers alike, and... View Article

Practice Profile: Benedetti Architects

Although only established in 2016, London-based Benedetti Architects already has a clutch of high-profile projects under its belt. ADF’s Tom Boddy speaks to the practice’s founder Renato Benedetti about the journey so far Renato Benedetti’s background is, he says, a... View Article

Back up to the surface in ‘23

A well-established part of the design calendar for nearly 20 years, the Surface Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre from 7-9 February to again showcase the best in materials innovation for specifiers The Surface Design Show provides the... View Article

Futurebuild: sustainable ideas & inspiration

Taking place from 7-9 March at London’s ExCeL, Futurebuild’s three day programme will educate and inform across the entire spectrum of sustainability issues “Reaching net zero by 2050 is no simple task and no one person or company has all... View Article

Safe, inclusive bathrooms are the future

Bathrooms can be a danger zone and entirely unsuitable for disabled people in many homes across the UK. Stuart Reynolds from AKW, explores the challenges facing both landlords and tenants and considers solutions to the problem When is a house... View Article

The creative spark in boilers

Adam Taylor from Beesley & Fildes, discusses the potential of electric boilers as an affordable, easy to install alternative to both gas and air source heat pumps The energy cap for domestic properties is due to rise on 1 April... View Article

Heating from the ground up

Craig Edwards of WMS, explains how to incorporate affordable warmth into the very fabric of a home with underfloor heating Rising energy bills in the UK are set to push even more households into fuel poverty this winter. The stakes... View Article

Setting the standard for certification and compliance

Marcus Parnham from Profab Access, discusses the importance of specifying fire integrity products to ensure the suitability and safety of a building for its entire lifecycle Focused on improving the safety of high risk residential buildings, the Building Safety Act... View Article

Energy Efficient Makeover: The Benefits Of EWI Solutions

The need to improve the energy efficiency of homes and reduce fuel poverty has become more pressing than ever.  It’s why improvements to a building’s external façade will not only enhance the look and character, it can also dramatically transform... View Article

The perils of inexperience in heat network maintenance

Employing non-specialist contractors to maintain heat networks is problematic, argues Steve Morris of Insite Energy. Unless correctly monitored and maintained, heat networks become less efficient over time. A host of serious problems can result, including higher energy costs. This can... View Article

Tackling greenwash

James Tucker, CEO at Twenty7Tec, explores how the housebuilding sector will be affected by new regulations from the FCA designed to tackle ‘greenwash.’ As green initiatives for consumers increase sector-wide, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently announced its plans to... View Article

First footing

The Tile Association says that consumer interest in floor tiles as a stylish as well as hygienic, durable and even sustainable finish for domestic properties has never been stronger, and explains some of the options The market is driven by... View Article

What can Gove deliver?

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance magazine asks what can Michael Gove hope to deliver on new housebuilding? Trying to keep up to date with Government policies for new housebuilding can be a thankless... View Article