Addressing a national problem

Nicolas Maari of multi-disciplinary firm Pellings looks at the challenges for designers around providing interim accommodation for the homeless Homelessness is an ongoing and growing problem, with the number of homeless people increasing by a third between 2012 and 2018.... View Article

Automatic for the people

Listen here. Ken Price of the Automatic Door Suppliers Association looks at how access control is fast becoming part of a bigger ‘automatic solution’ – linking access control with automatic doors for improved safety, security and smart facilities management You... View Article

Sustainable surfaces

Permeable external surfaces provide the starting point for sustainable surface water drainage (also known as SuDS), but concrete block permeable paving offers far more than flood prevention, explains Chris Hodson of Interpave It’s over three years since the Government chose... View Article

BREEAM Awards 2020

ADF previews the shortlisted entries for the BREEAM Awards which presents the best in international construction sustainability, and features a new ‘personal’ award for 2020 The annual BREEAM Awards, says their organiser BRE, showcases “the most innovatively sustainable BREEAM rated... View Article

Be the catalyst for change

The organisers of FutureBuild 2020 are looking to inspire architects to join fellow industry leaders and innovators at this year’s event to be the “catalyst for change” that’s needed to help deliver a more sustainable built environment Futurebuild’s conference returns... View Article

Ask the Architect: Alberto Basaglia

Alberto Basaglia, co-founder of Italian firm Basaglia + Rota Nodari Studio, answers ADF’s questions on what influences his designs, the importance of balance, and sustainability Why did you become an architect? When I was a kid, I made a sofa-exercise-bike... View Article

Bold as brass

The project architect in charge of a new architecturally adventurous flagship retail store in the German city of Wuppertal explains to Jack Wooler how the practice went about revitalising a large brownfield site, and created a unique retail environment. In... View Article

Two views of the river

A new pier has opened for the Thames’ main river taxi which provides new public space as well as vital transport infrastructure, in a design which divides the structure into two to make the most of its location. James Parker... View Article

Sound advice on architectural glazing

Enhanced acoustic requirements are becoming a commonplace consideration in contract documents, says Mark Hargreaves of Technal, who discusses glazing strategies to mitigate noise and the correct approach to acoustic design As a main element to most buildings, the glazed openings... View Article

Getting to grips with daylighting

Gary Dean of OnLevel UK explores the importance of daylighting in building design and the benefits of specifying glass clamps to help facilitate it Ensuring your home, workplace or recreational space maximises the use of natural light is fast becoming... View Article

Lighting the way to sustainability

William McDowell of Hambleside Danelaw explains how recent innovations in GRP rooflights can help specifiers contribute towards BREEAM and sustainability It is impossible to be unaware of the drive to increase our sustainability in building design. However, many architects are... View Article

Glass built to last

Susan Sinden of ESG Group explains why glass advances make the material one of the most versatile for creating modern, attractive and secure environments Toughened glass was an important development early in the 20th Century – because it shattered into... View Article

A clearer view of safety

Among the functions performed by glass and glazing systems as part of the building envelope, fire safety and protecting lives are critical. Darren Wainwright of SE Controls explains systems’ roles in addressing smoke control and compliance issues Within residential buildings... View Article

Future-proofed design

John Alimi of Stiltz Homelifts explains why it’s imperative self-builders think ahead when designing their home in order to create a ‘home for life’ It is now far easier to be presented with options for a self-build project or major... View Article

Open to a fresh lifestyle

Richard Atkins, design director at DesignSpace London, shares tips on how to create open plan kitchen living for your project Traditionally, kitchens were hidden from view, with meals prepared out of sight and doors firmly shut between the cooking area... View Article

More than just homes

A new £6m Places for People social community is being handed over in Salford, Greater Manchester. Michael Dong, CEO of developer Investar Property Group, and Mike Watson, director of housebuilder Watson Homes, walk Jack Wooler through the Melody Gardens project.... View Article

A change for the better

Listen here. Heidi and John Exley moved into the house of their dreams near Doncaster – and then modernised it beyond all recognition with the help of a local architect TEXT & IMAGES: HEATHER DIXON For years Heidi Exley had secretly... View Article

Sliding doors, made simple

Listen here. Steve Bromberg of Express Bi-Folding Doors outlines the essential factors for self-builders who are considering sliding doors – from size limitations to energy efficiency OTHER THAN SAVING SPACE, WHAT BENEFITS CAN SLIDING DOORS OFFER OVER BI-FOLDS? The main benefit... View Article

The fruits of determination

Listen here. Nothing was going to stop resourceful self-builder Gill MacLeod achieving the house of her dreams, a major renovation in rural Scotland TEXT JAYNE DOWLE IMAGES EMMA GRAY Clambering around a delivery depot in a hi-vis vest and hard hat,... View Article