Sound support for schools

Holly Rivers of Heckmondwike FB discusses how noise in schools impacts learning and teaching, highlighting the need for better acoustic standards and the role of carpets in creating quieter environments that allow pupils better focus. In recent years, research has... View Article

Zinc: the natural choice

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc tracks how zinc has played a key role in iconic buildings from Paris’ monuments to modern campuses and healthcare facilities – and how this durable and highly recyclable material is now culturally recognised by UNESCO. Zinc... View Article

Looking to the future

Vivalda discusses how a creative cladding system transformed a Northern Irish primary school, using engraved volcanic rock panels to create a striking facade that celebrates diversity, local history, and hope. Creative cladding has been instrumental in the aesthetic of a... View Article

Make the right connections

24-26 June NEC Birmingham InstallerSHOW is the UK’s must-visit event focusing on sustainability in the built environment, bringing together more than 800 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors across three halls and three days at the NEC Birmingham. In addition to the... View Article

Practice Profile: AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis is a firm that has redefined architectural practice, blending engineering precision with people-centred design, with sustainability and collaboration to the fore. Kim Neville reports. AtkinsRéalis’ journey began with an unorthodox move, establishing an architecture arm within what was formerly... View Article

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025

Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else in the world. It’s no surprise, then, that Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) has become a globally recognised platform for the design community to come together... View Article

Union City Blu

The new Radisson Blu hotel in the heart of Sheffield is a union of old and new, with HLM restoring and retaining a Victorian facade plus adding a major volume and maximising views over the adjacent public realm. James Parker... View Article

Winds of change for testing

Lisa Stephens of ROCKWOOL UK gives an update on the latest developments in wind load testing to equip buildings for the more extreme winter storms we are seeing. Across the globe, extreme weather conditions are becoming more common, with heavy... View Article

A sustainable mix of grey, green & blue

As the UK targets 1.5 million new homes, sustainable drainage must be part of the plan, says Ben Puddy of Hydro International; he explains how blending blue, green and grey systems can build the perfect drainage mixture to support climate-resilient... View Article

Smart data for safer buildings

Naveed Mohammed of Inspectas Compliance looks at the critical need to make sure safety information flows from to property owners in projects, and says it’s nothing new. Having a competent, transparent and communicative project team has never been more necessary.... View Article

Safety on the dance floor

Steve Green of Harlequin Floors explores the critical role dance floors play in dancers’ safety and performance, highlighting the research behind creating optimal environments for longevity that support users. Professional dancers can spend hours working in a dance studio, it... View Article

Discovery mission

The Discovery Centre in Cambridge marks a new era for AstraZeneca, a remarkable research facility and headquarters by Herzog & de Meuron that combines boundary-pushing design and sustainability with collaboration. Roseanne Field reports. In the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical... View Article

LVT: the sensible flooring choice

Luxury vinyl tiles combine style, durability, and easy maintenance, making them a top flooring choice for modern interiors. Lorna Williams at Amtico shares why it is the perfect solution for new developments. Choosing the right flooring is one of the... View Article

Don’t be a cyber victim

Colin Donnellon of Clear warns construction firms that it’s time they woke up to the real threats posed by cyber attacks, as they are more vulnerable than ever due to growing reliance on digital tools and electronic transfers; and wonders... View Article

The cost of ending homelessness

Preventing further increases in homelessness will only be possible with billions being invested in new housing, says Patrick Mooney, with record-high rough sleeping and temporary accommodation figures exposing the urgent need for action. The overwhelming case in favour of building... View Article

Housing 2025

24-26 June, Manchester Central With Labour having put housing at the forefront of their priorities, there is acknowledgement from all that we need a deep structural shift on how we fund our existing homes, and build the targeted 1.5 million... View Article

Connecting 30,000 industry professionals

24-26 June, NEC Birmingham   InstallerSHOW is the UK’s must-visit event focusing on sustainability in the built environment, bringing together more than 800 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors across three halls and three days at the NEC Birmingham in June 2025.... View Article

Close the data gap

Rob Norton of PlanRadar highlights the urgent need for better digital data management to meet fire safety standards, explaining how Regulation 38 can close critical compliance gaps across the sector. Almost eight years on from the tragic events of 14... View Article

Get retrofit right

Martin Hitchin of REHAU UK highlights how retrofitting window and door frames, alongside the necessary supply chain collaboration, is a vital component of improving thermal performance and meeting net zero targets across the sector. The residential sector accounts for approximately... View Article