Firestopping and the design of penetration seals

A service penetration through a fire-separating element may well be viewed as a minor element of a compartment wall or floor, but their importance cannot be understated. We talk to Bob Westcombe, UK Fire Protection Manager at ROCKWOOL about mechanical... View Article

Extinguishing fire safety myths

Fire Safety has and always will be a well-documented subject, with various experts and regulatory bodies sharing key insights that save lives. Despite this, practical knowledge can sometimes be overshadowed by false information and myth. Karen Trigg of Allegion UK... View Article

Care Homes – time for a change

‘Care Homes should be seen very much places to go to live rather than places to die, their design should reflect this and we shouldn’t assume anything when anticipating tastes and preferences of older generations.’ James Potter of WGP Architects. When... View Article

Mind the gap: specifying window sealants

Andrew Swift, sales and operations manager, UK and Ireland – ISO-Chemie, offers advice for architects and designers specifying sealant tapes for windows and doors in residential homes and commercial buildings. Issues around airtightness and energy efficiency remain top of the... View Article

No compromises

Self and custom build homes make up around 40 per cent of new homes throughout the developed World, yet in England, they make up just 5. Jack Wooler speaks to Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, CEO of the National Custom and Self Build... View Article

Conserving the nation’s history

Adrian Attwood, Executive Director at DBR Ltd, explains the nuances of conservation construction and the pitfalls to avoid From palaces to places of worship, the UK is filled with a plethora of centuries-old landmarks taught about in schools and visited... View Article

Revamp, don’t replace

Lindsay Appleton of William Smith Group looks at how vinyl wrapping can enhance interior designs using architectural finishes, as part of the trend to reuse and recover furniture on sustainability grounds, rather than rip out and replace The trend for... View Article

The best bricks for your build

Jason Hughes of Imperial Bricks has tips on choosing bricks for your self-build Many self-build projects may be on hold while we work through the COVID-19 crisis, with homebuilders and renovators using the time to research the right products for... View Article

Balustrading best practice

Dominic Meakins of Demon Designs explores the different factors to be aware of when specifying glass or appointing a glass contractor for your self-build, in particular when it comes to getting glass balustrades right Stunning, unique features can be achieved... View Article

Climate control

A new Canadian engineering faculty building will research and develop solutions for clean power innovation, as part of the Government’s response to climate change. ADF’s Sébastien Reed speaks to its architect Venelin Kokalov about a project that uses glazing to... View Article

Offsite manufacturing mitigates risk of working from height

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive reveal roofers account for 24% of work-related deaths in the construction industry. Working at height can be a perilous activity, particularly for the operators making lengthy modifications to products which could have been... View Article

Mind the gap

Comfort is the difference between building a home not a house, and thermal comfort plays a huge role in this. Here, Debbie Phillips, National Business Development Manager from Keylite Roof Windows looks at the best approach to ensure your selfbuilds... View Article

Reclaiming control

Rob Lea had always wanted to design and build his own home, and convert an old barn, so when the opportunity came to do both – using reclaimed materials – he jumped at the chance TEXT: Roseanne Field IMAGES: Rob... View Article

Adapting to change

Though the construction industry is now back on site, Covid-19 has not left it unscarred. AO.com managing director Anthony Sant speaks to netMAGmedia’s Jack Wooler on how the virus has brought supply to the fore, and what the company has... View Article