Put fabric first

Ben Cheetham of Keystone Lintels considers how housebuilders can, by pursuing a fabric-first approach to energy efficiency and careful specification, avoid the problems of thermal bridging Preventing heat loss by addressing thermal bridging is growing in importance – particularly with... View Article

Bubble bathrooms

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Ash Chilver of HiB looks at how the need to maximise safety in the pandemic, coupled with the growth in multigenerational living, are driving bathroom design choices which will attract homebuyers of all ages. Home life is... View Article

Beyond energy efficiency

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Paul Barrett of Rockwool explains why housebuilders need to consider insulation that delivers safety and acoustic performance alongside maximising onsite benefits for installers, not just thermal factors Primarily driven by Approved Document L (ADL) of the Building... View Article

How to secure your funding in 2021

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Simon Chapman of Pluto Finance gives expert insights on the key steps developers need to take when attempting to secure finance for their residential schemes, and what challenges might be in store currently In this extraordinary year,... View Article

The art of render

Strong colours, silicone technology, textured effects and brick slip combinations – James Ormerod of Aliva UK sets out the ‘art of the possible’ with insulated render When looking for a cost-effective cladding option that can be applied quickly and easily,... View Article

Hot and sophisticated

Steve Birch of Vogue (UK) discusses how the market for radiators and towel warmers has become increasingly sophisticated, and how greater attention is being paid to the look as well as the functionality of heating solutions In a world where... View Article

Site Lines: Affordable homes-on-sea

Lee Davies of architects Conran and Partners explores how an East Sussex council’s initiative produced an exemplar partnership which employs an innovative design solution to tackle the local housing crisis Last year marked 100 years since the introduction of the... View Article

A guide to bespoke staircases

Antonia Harding of British Spirals and Castings discusses the various factors architects and specifiers need to bear in mind when selecting a bespoke staircase A staircase provides a key focal point in a property and its design can have a... View Article

Cool ideas for waterproofing

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Victoria Ramwell of Kemper System offers specification advice on the versatile cold-applied liquid waterproofing method for residential properties A key theme throughout the roofing sector and the construction industry as a whole as we enter a new... View Article

View Point: Assael Architecture

LISTEN HERE 🔊 With plans to house the UK’s growing elderly population in new town centre developments recently making the news, Assael Architecture explains why it’s the right solution, giving a key recent example You would be forgiven for thinking... View Article

Remote management: sensible or intrusive?

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Terri Hickman of Intergas Boilers discusses the pros and cons of remote management in the Covid-19 era. Working from home, such an alien concept at the start of lockdown, is now a much-loved (or tolerated, depending on... View Article

Balcony fire safety

Richard Izzard of AliDeck explores the prevalence and causes of balcony fires. Following the Grenfell tragedy, various building regulation updates and Government initiatives have attempted to resolve the flammable cladding issue by outlawing combustible materials and mandating its replacement in... View Article

How to deliver on flat roof refurbishment projects

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Clients are constantly trying to make the smartest investment, presenting surveyors with the challenge of delivering predictable project costs and providing precise technical data to enable clients to make the correct decision. Bauder explores how to deliver... View Article

Clarity on composite fire and security doors

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Chris Flaherty of Winkhaus UK provides clarity for specifiers following a series of legislation and guidance updates covering the specification of composite fire doors. There is a lot of confusion and frustration among specifiers as to what... View Article

What is IAQ and how do we measure it?

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Vince House of Aereco explores what indoor air quality (IAQ) really means as residents are confined to their homes more than ever. There has been a lot of talk around Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), especially during the... View Article

Steel windows’ split personality

Darren Lloyd of the Steel Window Association looks ahead at how the separate properties inherent to steel windows help them take key new roles beyond the pandemic The terms ‘heritage,’ ‘high performance’ or even ‘futuristic’ are all applicable to the... View Article

Ask The Architect: Aqua Architecture

Alia Beyg of Aqua Architecture answers ADF’s questions on running a ‘niche’ practice, and what the future might hold for her firm Why did you become an Architect? From a young age I loved to draw, and I became fascinated... View Article

An introduction to standing seam roofing design

Standing seam roofs are a popular choice with architects and specifiers looking for a design that really stands out. Simon Walker of SIG Zinc & Copper discusses what architects and specifiers should consider when designing standing seam roofing Traditional standing... View Article

Practice Profile: HLM Architects

James Parker speaks to HLM’s chairman Richard O’Neil to find out how 2020’s Architectural Practice of the Year has maintained a keen focus on ‘social architecture’ over nearly six decades, while continuing to broaden its horizons HLM is a longstanding... View Article

Sustainability defined

With increasing pressure to specify building systems offering clearly defined sustainability, Andrew Cross of Kestrel Aluminium Systems gives his thoughts on the use of aluminium as a key building component In construction terms, aluminium is considered to be a ‘permanent’... View Article