Give-and-take

Andy Fell of Hambleside Danelaw summarises the pros and cons of different flat and low-pitched roofing membranes. Housing maintenance is a demanding task, with cost, performance, lifespan, ease of installation and maintenance being the main governing factors. ‘Traditional’ roofing systems... View Article

Solid solutions in a crisis

Calum Forsyth of H+H puts the case for masonry construction methods as a key part of the solution to the UK housing crisis. The Government has been clear it wants housebuilders to deliver far more units per year, which means... View Article

Practice Profile: Niven Architects

A small practice with big ideas, Niven Architects is harnessing cutting-edge working approaches such as agile and lean alongside BIM, making it a force to be reckoned with in the north east. Sébastien Reed reports Niven Architects is a collective... View Article

An uplift in building accessibility

12 months on from the change in regulations covering the accessibility of buildings, as well as the standards covering lifts, Oliver Greening of LIFTEX 2019 looks at the implications for developers. With regards to the current legal requirements for the... View Article

A natural approach to thermal comfort in social housing

Fintan Wallace from Ecological Building Systems discusses the importance of an airtight and windtight building envelope and the natural insulation solutions that can help reduce heating bills and improve comfort for social housing tenants. The cost of heating a home... View Article

Get on top of the issue

Despite British Standards regarding slating and tiling being updated, sadly practice is still lagging behind, resulting in voided warranties and significant roof failures. Dr Kevin Ley of Redland explains. The first iteration of BS 5534, the ‘Code of Practice for... View Article

GET THE DOWNTON LOOK

Tony Pell of the Wood Window Alliance and Sarah Latham, founder of interior design agency Etons of Bath, look at the resurgent trend for period features in homes, and the key importance of windows. With our fixation on the future... View Article

Funded solutions

Simon Lomax of Kensa Heat Pumps explores innovative ways to access funding streams for heating and renewable energy installations. Many in the ground source heat pump (GSHP) industry are encouraged by the proposed refinements outlined in the Government’s 2016 response... View Article

A tale of two housing associations

Joining two existing Registered Providers (RPs) together is exciting. However, realising the benefit of a merger can be tricky, particularly if both organisations have a very different approach and culture. Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) and Helena Partnerships were brought... View Article

Next generation coatings and paints

Mike Turner of Ian Williams looks at some of the latest trends in coatings and paint products. Over the decades, formulations and applications have changed significantly and paint continues to be a dynamic sector, contributing heavily to the sustainability, aesthetics,... View Article

THE SECOND ACT

Howard Reay and Amber Valentine both worked in TV and film, but this didn’t prepare them for the drama of their own journey to creating a grand home in Buckinghamshire. Roseanne Field reports. Tucked away up a steep lane in... View Article

Robotic collaboration in timber construction

Researchers from ETH Zurich are using a new method for digital timber construction in a real project for the first time. The load-bearing timber modules, which are prefabricated by robots, will be assembled on the top two floors at the DFAB HOUSE... View Article

The sound of silence

You want your home to be a relaxing and peaceful haven – and it’s easier to accomplish than you might think, as British Gypsum’s sound solutions expert Sarah White explains. The hustle and bustle of everyday life can be deafening,... View Article

RIBA responds to the Government’s Spring Statement

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) responds to the Spring Statement in which the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, gave an update on the UK economy. Speaking today, RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said: “We welcome positive news on the British economy, but to... View Article

Future Watch – Embracing density

James Parker looks at how the new London Plan could transform the capital, as it puts high-density housing high on the agenda. London’s planning decisions, is still in draft form. When finally published next year it could have big repercussions... View Article