The power of colour in design

Victoria Brocklesby of Origin discusses how coloured doors and windows can transform home design, and offers practical advice on using colour to boost kerb appeal, enhance light, and add value. The decisions are endless when designing a home: from floor... View Article

London Build 2024: The biggest edition yet

20-21 November Olympia London On 20-21 November, what’s thought to be the UK’s largest construction show, London Build, is back, and this year the biggest edition yet, with brand-new, exciting features and stages for attendees to discover.  London Build 2024... View Article

Ask the Architect: Sarah Small

Weymouth native Sarah Small is an associate and Passivhaus designer at Dorchester practice SPASE Design – here she answers ADF’s questions on what drives her, from early concepts to current schemes What made you want to be an architect? From... View Article

Hive mind

Architects SPPARC encouraged a family business hesitant to the perceived limitations of heritage restorations to rescue a Grade II-listed Fitzrovia townhouse and create an elegant office. James Parker reports. London architecture studio SPPARC built on its existing relationship with an... View Article

Evidencing competency: Who is the judge?

Nigel Ostime, architect and principal at Ostime Consulting, questions the effectiveness of the new competency requirements for Principal Designers under the Building Safety Act, asking whether the varied systems plus no unified vetting will ensure safety. One of the glaring... View Article

Innovative app assists local authorities

Nicola Kennedy of Heero Technologies debunks prevailing myths around retrofitting and explores how technology can help local authorities drive sustainable change at scale, creating a future where every home is energy efficient. Local authorities have a central role to play... View Article

Competence, coordination & compliance

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve for residential building duty holders on fire door safety, Karen Trigg of Allegion UK reviews the importance of competence and coordination in a more rigorous environment When fire safety fails, lives are put... View Article

Building indoor air quality into dwellings from the ground up

On behalf of BEAMA Underfloor Heating Group, Ashley Cooper discusses how hydronic (water-based) underfloor heating can support the industry to build healthier indoor air quality into the very fabric of a home. Delivering homes which provide residents with good indoor... View Article

Missing Closers… Whoa, Heavy!

Fire doors are crucial for safety, yet their weight often causes residents to remove door closers, compromising fire protection. Pete Davies of Fireco highlights how free-swing devices can address this by ensuring doors close properly during emergencies. For those of... View Article

The benefits of thoroughly modern wood-burning stoves

Erica Malkin of the Stove Industry Association highlights the advantages of modern wood-burning stoves and the important role they play in the UK’s low carbon heating strategy. In the evolving landscape of home heating, house builders and developers are increasingly... View Article

Mastering maintenance

For social landlords, implementing an effective and well-planned regime of maintenance is critical to ensuring their residents’ homes are safe and fit for purpose – particularly when it comes to waterproofing, Roland Jackson of SOPREMA explains more. Like every other... View Article

Smart, safe & sustainable showers

With multi-generational living on the rise, Karen Wise of Triton Showers outlines the key considerations when specifying inclusive electric showers Over the past few years, a monumental spike in the cost of living has contributed to an unprecedented level of... View Article

Rethinking thermal efficiency

Mark Bowman of Marmox explains why addressing cold bridging has become more important than ever for specifiers in the housebuilding sector. Even with plans to utilise land in the so called “Grey Belt,” the new Government will undoubtedly find it... View Article

Clearly ready for the FHS

Paul Higgins of TuffX explores glazing options for meeting the demands of Part O but also the upcoming Future Homes Standard, on aesthetics and function During an era of change in the construction, we are also at a pivotal moment... View Article

Sustainable steps forward for fires

Simon Bower of Percy Doughty discusses how the stove and fireplace industry has worked tirelessly to reduce emissions and improve sustainability On 1 January 2022, only wood burning stoves that comply with the Ecodesign Regulations were able to enter the... View Article

Heating up refurbishments

Chris McQuade of F. Ball advises on retrofitting underfloor heating, focusing on the unique considerations for choosing and installing floorcoverings to boost comfort, energy efficiency, and property value. The application of a floor smoothing compound is a recommended step as... View Article

Keep healthy and even cool with underfloor heating

Ashley Cooper of WMS explains why underfloor heating is a key way to improve indoor air quality and reduce airbourne pollutants, while also providing a cost-effective way of mitigating overheating in homes While soft furnishings are typically known as the... View Article

Taking Home Security Seriously

October is National Home Security Month. Alongside the evenings getting darker and the nights becoming longer, home security is increasingly front of mind for homeowners. Roland Etheridge of IronmongeryDirect, discusses key considerations to help keep a property safe and secure.... View Article

Imagination & effort needed

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing Management & Maintenance magazine, looks at the crisis around temporary accommodation costs, and how addressing this requires investment in affordable housing, reforms, and collaboration across government, councils, and housing associations. The... View Article