The UK’s rooftops to become power stations

Plans to turn the Government estate as well as factories, supermarkets and car parks into “solar hubs” have been outlined in a new strategy by Energy Minister Greg Barker today. The Solar Strategy, the first of its kind in the... View Article

How green is your rooftop?

Here we review green roofs as an option for your self-build: why you should consider them, what ranges and varieties are available and the practical issues to be aware of One of the great joys of building your own home has to... View Article

Saint-Gobain reacts to the Budget announcement

The plans outlined in the Budget to support building and construction activity were welcomed by Saint-Gobain UK. Director of Communications, Richard Halderthay said: “The concept of the new Garden City at Ebbsfleet, and the potential for more Garden Cities or... View Article

History provides a future for the retired

Instead of a shining new development for the retired, Anchor Trust and English Care Village Partnerships are using design to invent a history for an assisted living development in Hampshire, as Steve Menary reports. Ensuring good design can be achieved... View Article

Inspired by natural systems

Ventilated façades have been around for a long time. In traditional Scandinavian housing, for example, an air gap was included between the timber external wall and the internal wall, as a way of preventing these soft wood structures from rotting... View Article

Titan in its tomb

The country’s second largest ever concrete pour was needed to create a building for Cambridge’s materials scientists in which vibration could be kept to a minimum. Mark Smulian reports. It must have been a remarkable sight when 120 lorries drove... View Article

Specifying off-mains drainage

Kevin Roe, sales director of Kingspan Klargester, looks at the drainage options available for different sites. Of the country’s current stock of 25 million houses, around 1.5 million are not connected to the sewer. In all cases the first consideration... View Article

Versatile style

Nicola Seymour of Marbrex explores the potential of decorative yet highly practical internal cladding systems over more traditional wall coverings – from reducing labour costs and timescales to ease of installation; long-term cleaning and maintenance When it comes to creating... View Article

The importance of reducing false fire alarms

By Michala Ford, marketing manager of Safety Technology International (Europe) Ltd The problem caused by false fire alarms Every false fire alarm is costly, disruptive and detrimental to safety. Each year businesses and public services in the UK have nearly... View Article

FR Coatings Alert

By Stephen Young, director of the Wood Protection Association The Wood Protection Association (WPA) is calling on building designers to double-check the fire performance claims of flame retardant treatments before they commit to a specification. The move follows research for... View Article

Pooling resources

When two generations of the Wilson family found neither could afford a self build, they did what families do – they pulled together to create a stunning home. By Mark Williams Marion Wilson has abiding memories of looking after her... View Article