Unintended consequences

Lizzy and Rupert Atkins hadn’t intended to do a self-build, but when faced with moving out of the area they loved, they decided to embark on a major renovation project to transform an ‘ugly duckling’ Atkins had been living and... View Article

The beauty, range and versatility of natural stone

David Mahyari, CEO of boutique stone supplier SolidNature, explains the key to creating distinctive kitchens and bathrooms in self-builds. Natural stone should be a priority when planning a new kitchen or bathroom as it’s sustainable, versatile and adds an element... View Article

Sustainability, style and substance

Latest research from Waterwise estimates that over 2 billion litres of water is used each day across Britain through showering, the equivalent to almost 800 Olympic size swimming pools. With the Environment Agency predicting an extra 3.6 billion litres of... View Article

Building productive IT Infrastructure post-Covid

In 2020, the Covid-19 lockdown significantly impacted businesses operating in the construction industry, with several non-essential building projects being placed on hold. Now, as the sector begins to adapt to a new normal, Matt Newman, Account Director at IT Managed Service... View Article

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

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