The future of living

Homes UK is returning to the London Excel on 23-24 November, and is intended to provide a ‘safe and timely’ opportunity for the housing sector to collaborate and plan for a post-pandemic future. From discussing how to revive housebuilding to... View Article

Stay ahead of regs changes

Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation explains the importance of third-party certification in the context of the upcoming building safety legislation and the changes it will bring. The newly introduced Building Safety Bill – and new planning legislation introduced... View Article

Combat condensation

Condensation can be miserable and unhealthy for homeowners, and so prevention is key for any new build residential project. Martin Panes of Altaterra explores solutions, including roof windows. Water vapour is always present in the air – as a gas.... View Article

The lockdown legacy

Housebuilders, specifiers and developers are confronting new consumer demands for flexibility in post-pandemic Britain, says Louise Walters, commercial director for Designer Contracts. With the housebuilding and renovating market still booming across Britain, specifiers and developers could be forgiven for being... View Article

Founding a ‘15-minute city’

Newfoundland, currently the UK’s tallest built-to-rent tower, has been completed in Canary Wharf. The first of its kind in the area, the development is intended to kick-start a ‘15-minute city’ by introducing rental apartments into the key business hub. Jack... View Article

Devon Arts and Crafts

A new 264 home greenfield development is well underway in Devon, inspired by ‘Arts and Crafts’ design of the early 20th century, and the site’s landscape. Jack Wooler explores a project which also foregrounds modular innovation A new community of... View Article

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: AESTHETIC HOSTILE VEHICLE MITIGATION

The days of obtrusive concrete bollards are long gone. Instead, modern protective street furniture is now available in a wide range of materials and designs, which can complement any aesthetic vision. Here, Jaz Vilkhu, Managing Director from Marshalls Landscape Protection, discusses how... View Article

Sink to the top

Dave Mayer of Reginox explores the latest trends in sinks and taps that he says housebuyers are searching for. There was a time when the kitchen sink’s purpose was no more than being somewhere to wash up. A ‘1.5 bowl’... View Article

Is modular living the key to post-pandemic life?

Raj Somal of engineering consultancy Dice looks at the exemplar Positive Homes modular development, explaining how modern methods can produce much-needed housing quickly on a tight budget, as the country begins to navigate life post-pandemic. There is no questioning the... View Article

A new ‘modular typology’ for Birmingham

A new modular housing typology is being claimed for the latest phase of Urban Splash’s ‘island neighbourhood’ at Port Loop in Birmingham. According to the builder, Row House is a new take on mews-style architecture. First revealed in the spring,... View Article

Go beyond the minimum on acoustics

Rob Crampton of Hush Acoustics explains why investment in acoustic insulation will result in a higher level of satisfaction for customers. Acoustic standards in UK housebuilding have not been upgraded in a meaningful way since the early 2000s. As a... View Article

Meshing with design goals

Bringing bespoke creativity to life in applications from cladding, ceilings and roofs, to staircases and balustrades, metal mesh is being used to push design boundaries safely and sustainably. Anthony Millington of Amron Architectural explains further Architects and designers are always... View Article

Wood you believe it?

Richard Besant of Powdertech Corby on how developments in wood finish powder coatings on aluminium are providing a popular and realistic alternative to wood, as materials shortages increase We have witnessed the increased use of architectural powder coatings to a... View Article

Renewing social connections

The light-touch refurbishment of a brutalist city centre bus station in the Czech Republic belies the extent of a young Czech practice’s achievement, catalysing the transformation of a local eyesore into a building of renewed social value. James Parker reports... View Article

Safety in numbers

Dave Walker of Distinction Doors explores how early engagement between architects and product manufacturers will be key to helping the industry design and construct safer buildings, post-Grenfell When speaking with architects and other product manufacturers, one point which comes up... View Article

A copper-bottomed sustainability case

As well as wide applications in contemporary architectural design, there is more to copper than meets the eye when it comes to recyclability, sustainability and longevity, explains Graeme Bell of Aurubis Copper is a natural element found within the earth’s... View Article

Sealing concrete’s interior future

Architects and designers are broadening their concrete horizons – firmly cementing the time-honoured material’s place in ‘softer’ interior applications. Craig Bell from Osmo provides advice on maintaining its durability Trends in interior design change constantly, and it can be hard... View Article

Fire safety in the frame

David Atkinson from Metsec discusses the increased focus on through-wall fire testing post-Grenfell, and how steel framing systems can contribute to improved performance as well as thermal efficiency Light gauge galvanised steel framing systems (SFS) are primarily used for wall... View Article