A sustained effort

The end result of Sarah and Andy Ball’s somewhat gruelling self-build saga is a sleek, modern ‘forever’ home in Derby, with wide-open views of landscape plus space, comfort and sustainability Over the past couple of years we have tracked the... View Article

Pushing the boundaries of home entertainment

New innovations in technology designed to mitigate the risks in wet environments are pushing the boundaries of where AV equipment can be enjoyed in the home. Will Uttley of ProofVision looks at the latest products Over the past two decades,... View Article

Familial territory

While most people undertaking a project will buy an unfamiliar plot or house, possibly even in an unfamiliar area, a couple in Cheshire took the opposite approach, building next door to the in-laws Some would shy away from a property... View Article

Pellet stoves: style and substance

Specflue’s Ian Sams explains why pellet stoves offer an ideal heating solution for self-builders, from their environmental credentials and aesthetic appeal to the best units’ ease of use and installation As any self-builder knows, the secret to a successful project... View Article

Child’s play

Play experts Foamë offer a ‘how-to’ guide on taking the right steps towards creating a safe home environment for children which still looks great While children should always be monitored, their curious nature means that it can seem impossible to... View Article

Going green on top

Victoria Ramwell from Kemper System discusses specification best practice and the key considerations for green roofs, including design, location and waterproofing aspects Green roofs are evolving rapidly, transforming from a specialist eco-feature to a more mainstream technology which can be... View Article

Good things come to those who wait

Finally moving in to their dream self-built home in Norfolk was a very long time coming for David and Deanna Martin One of the most intimidating aspects of buying a plot of land and building your own house is worrying... View Article

Keeping the public safe, not scared

Securing public spaces ­– rather than simply focusing on their aesthetics – has fast risen up the agenda for architects, but there is a risk of choosing overly utilitarian options, says Jaz Vilkhu of Marshalls Landscape Protection The need to... View Article

Smart tips for smart homes

Matt Nimmons of CEDIA EMEA brings together advice from the industry body’s membership to explain the elements that should be considered when designing a wider home integration project The integration of smart technology is fast becoming the norm for households... View Article

Multi-sensor safety

Andy Speake of Aico discusses how multi-sensor alarm technology is reducing costs as well as increasing safety from false alarms in social housing Aico introduced the first mains powered domestic multi-sensor to the smoke alarm market in 2014 as a... View Article

Taking responsibility

Martin Bidewell of Sika discusses why supply chain accountability must be standardised across the industry for safer roof refurbishment Two years after the Grenfell disaster and 18 months on from the Hackitt Report’s call for greater clarity of guidance and... View Article

Site Lines: Low impact, high materiality

Gavin Maloney of Arup looks at how a house made of expanded cork combines impeccable sustainability credentials with a high degree of tactile beauty Never has public opinion been more interested in how we dispose of the things we produce... View Article

View Point: Katy Barker of Directline Structures

Architect Katy Barker of Directline Structures says that despite the barriers to collaborative working, architects could take a leading role in Design & Build Most people understand the premise of Design & Build procurement – a single organisation undertakes the... View Article

Ask the Architect: Laura Carrara-Cagni

Laura Carrara-Cagni of Edward Williams Architects answers ADF’s questions about the things that drive her, personally and professionally Why did you become an architect? I love travelling and I wanted to become an interpreter, so I actually studied languages first.... View Article

Vive la Republic

Export Building, the latest phase of Republic, a wide-ranging offices development in east London, is a refurbishment that fuses engineered timber and a revitalised public realm with a progressive tenancy initiative to create a new destination in Docklands. Sébastien Reed... View Article

Arriving in style

Istanbul Airport’s terminal is the biggest ever built, but its design manages to still place all passengers’ experience at the forefront, while honouring Turkish architecture. James Parker reports Opened this April, the new terminal building at Istanbul Airport is the... View Article

Stepping into the light

Despite having an architecture degree, Tom Holliday and his wife Carly turned to an architect friend to help them transform a dark, dated cottage into a light and spacious family home near York If Carly and Tom Holliday had known... View Article

Grand central viewing station

As part of creating a bespoke structure in the centre of a major New York development to offer unique public space, Heatherwick Studio utilised a revolutionary technique to create a copper finish in steel that wouldn’t degrade over time, as... View Article

Domino effect

An addition to the University of Massachusetts displays a composition of staggered copper and glass elements to create a dramatic entranceway. Jack Wooler spoke to architects BIG about how and why this domino effect was created The Business Innovation Hub... View Article