Open to debate

Jay Patel of aїr aluminium looks at the merits of bi-fold doors versus lift and slide options, and which may be better suited to your self-build. Wide-span glazing has become a critical part of any self-build project, with bi-folding and... View Article
Serving student wellbeing needs – Bennetts Associates

Site Lines – Serving student wellbeing needs

Students in the 21st century face a wide range of health and wellbeing challenges as well as technological demands. James Allison of architects Bennetts Associates discusses an example of thoughtful improvement of student wellbeing facilities for Cambridge University In the... View Article

Wall-to-wall thinking

As part of meeting our commitments to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050, Chris Miles of Kingspan Facades looks at the options for specifiers when it comes to holistic approaches to maximising thermal efficiency in facades In June, the... View Article

The highest standard in Camden

Chris Wood of Lomax + Wood tells ADF how Lomax + Wood helped transform a Camden landmark in to a luxury London hotel Lomax + Wood were selected, from the UK’s finest timber window specialists, to design and produce a... View Article

Eco solutions for woodburning

Defra’s publication of the Clean Air Strategy earlier this year saw the Government making it clear that ‘Ecodesign’ woodburning stoves would be an integral part of the UK’s solution for air quality. Dennis Milligan of the British Flue & Chimney... View Article
Navjot Dhillon and Nick Egan of Gerflor discuss why specifying better quality flooring will give architects a key advantage in sports facilities.

A sporting advantage

Navjot Dhillon and Nick Egan of Gerflor discuss why specifying better quality flooring will give architects a key advantage in sports facilities A key function of sports flooring is to help protect players from injury, and enhance their athletic performance.... View Article

Waterproofing inverted roofs

Sarah Spink, CEO of the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) provides specification advice on waterproofing inverted roofs, which are increasingly popular The popularity of inverted roofs continues to grow with the construction of these systems offering many benefits. From... View Article
View Point: Camilla Siggaard Andersen of Arup

View Point: Camilla Siggaard Andersen of Arup

Camilla Siggaard Andersen of Arup explores how, regardless of the construction industry’s myriad motives, the worth of projects that architects and designers create is ultimately about their social value – how they shape peoples’ lives Why do we build? Depending... View Article

A new hope

A pioneering cancer treatment centre in Manchester saw international architects HKS harnessing high-tech methods for attacking tumours using proton beams, while providing a human-centred facility. James Parker reports Proton beam therapy is an advanced and highly precise form of radiotherapy... View Article

Raising the standard

Jack Wooler explores the architects’ strategy behind a social housing scheme in Much Wenlock, Shropshire – a project which shows how Passivhaus can be achieved in a design that also worked with difficult terrain On the steeply sloping site of Callaughtons... View Article
The brick essentials

The brick essentials

With an increasing number of homeowners choosing to pursue self-build or embark on self-renovation work, Simon Taylor of Ibstock examines one of the key considerations for any self-builder – the aesthetics as well as function of the bricks they will... View Article
The art of compromise

The art of compromise

Perseverance and compromise paid off for Clare and Mark Gittins when they took on the virtual rebuild of a derelict cottage just outside Rotherham Most people wouldn’t have given the dilapidated old cottage on the edge of a busy main... View Article

Ask the Architect: Margherita Cesca

Margherita Cesca of Saunders Boston Architects answers ADF’s questions on what drives her personally and professionally Why did you become an architect? Art and architecture have always been a big part of my life; from a very young age, I... View Article
Forest canopy

Forest canopy

Inspired by the ‘Bamboo Forest’ of a nearby national park, the Wuxi Taihu Show Theatre near Shanghai marks the entrance to a huge new tourist attraction in its city. Roseanne Field reports The city of Wuxi sits on the banks... View Article
West End wellness

West End wellness

The Crown Estate’s first coworking venture, in London’s West End, offers a nurturing environment for small businesses in a refurbished building which is also the first Well-accredited project of its kind. James Parker reports A new coworking space completed in... View Article

Practice Profile: Shepheard Epstein Hunter

Shepheard Epstein Hunter may have garnered a strong reputation in its long history, from an initial focus on high quality public housing, but the practice hasn’t been resting on its laurels. James Parker spoke to two of its directors Evolving,... View Article
Climb every mountain

Climb every mountain

Challenged by steep topography, unspoilt alpine surroundings, and a devastating fire after its initial construction, the creation of a community sports and activity hall brought architect, client and locals together in the Swiss village of Le Vaud. Sébastien Reed speaks... View Article
All hands on deck

All hands on deck

The UK’s official agency for shipping and Royal Navy data has a new headquarters in Somerset, designed to push collaboration to the fore, in an open and fluid structure enhanced by timber throughout. Jack Wooler reports on how the AHR-designed... View Article