Sustainability strengths

Nobody doubts the strength of steel as a construction material, but its qualities in the field of sustainability may be less immediately obvious, says Russell Ager from Crittall Windows It’s steel’s strength that makes the key contribution to steel’s credentials... View Article

The challenge of natural ventilation in urban areas

John McComb from Reynaers Aluminium examines the challenges of naturally ventilating properties in high density urban areas, and how a collaboration on a new window design could offer a viable solution The population of cities globally is continuing to grow,... View Article

Taking in the island scenery

Architect Jane Burnside took on an unusually wide range of project roles to create her tranquil, contemporary home and workplace on the Isle of Mull, inspired by origami. Nik Hunter reports Introducing a contemporary building into a traditional landscape such... View Article

When does cost outweigh conservation?

Paul Trace of Stella Rooflight discusses the importance of maintaining the historical integrity of buildings during an economic downturn. It’s hard to imagine a tougher economic climate. Having emerged from the pandemic, businesses and homeowners are beset by the rising... View Article

Timber – the net zero hero?

The road to net zero is now set, and pressure is mounting on the construction sector to deliver. For housebuilders, choosing to use sustainable materials such as timber should be an easy decision; Andrew Carpenter of the Structural Timber Association... View Article

Housing sector meets again in Manchester

Housing, the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference – and what is said to be ‘Europe’s largest housing festival’ – returns to its normal slot, post-Covid, staged from 28-30 June at Manchester Central.  In 2022, there is more to talk... View Article

The future is modular

While there are many learnings that can be taken from the MMC-led construction of commercial retail, hospitals and prisons – all of which showcase MMC’s scalability potential – attention must be directed to the fact that, overall, consumers want greater... View Article

Compact & functional

With space becoming more confined in developments, designing rooms that still include all the right features is challenging. Joanne Dobbs from Lecico Bathrooms offers her advice when creating bathrooms for compact areas. The reduction in floorspace in UK homes over... View Article

Drainage at the building threshold

Effective drainage must be ‘front of mind’ for new builds seeking to achieve the increasingly popular blending of indoor and outdoor environments. Rob Butcher of ACO Water Management discusses the key considerations. The integration of outdoor and indoor spaces is... View Article

Effective passive fire protection

Playing a fundamental role in the long-term safety of their properties and their occupiers, building managers have a clear responsibility to ensure effective passive fire protection methods are in place, as Graham Laws of Siderise Insulation explains. Just over a... View Article

Connected housing

James Gray of Videx Security explores the role that the internet of things (IoT) plays in social housing access control and door entry. The Internet of Things (IoT) has moved on from a new phenomenon to an everyday technology with... View Article

Bridging the funding gap for social housing retrofits

The social housing sector is faced with a retrofit funding deficit of over £90bn, and so far, government grants and private sector investments are falling short. Tim Meanock of Tallarna explains how an ecosystem approach overcomes this challenge to deliver... View Article

Achieving 
quantity and quality

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance magazine, asks: has good design been squeezed out by our efforts to increase housing supply? “Too many housing estates are designed for nowhere in particular. They can be... View Article

Delivering emissions reductions

Marc Nickels of Kingspan Technical Insulation discusses how one substantial source of embodied emissions – building services haulage and deliveries – can be reduced on residential developments. The UK Green Building Council anticipates that by 2035, embodied carbon emissions may... View Article

Installing floorcoverings over calcium sulphate screeds

Calcium sulphate screeds have become an increasingly common choice of subfloor, especially where underfloor heating is incorporated within the subfloor. This is because of the speed with which they can be applied over large areas and other advantages over concrete... View Article

Did the queen’s speech deliver?

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), discusses his views on the recent Queen’s Speech, and how it compared with industry expectations. My previous two columns have touched on my hopes for a reformed planning process to... View Article

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 glass back 
into balconies

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 housebuilders and developers... View Article

Bringing a sense of community

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 Wooler about the... View Article