Building independence

A new centre for a disability charity consolidates its existing buildings and combines therapy areas with a homely residential environment, supporting the development of the organisation’s specialist care provision. Jack Wooler speaks to architect Edd Rushton A new Care and... View Article

Underground overtures

The new concert hall designed by Studio Seilern Architects for a Swiss ski village evolved from humble subterranean origins into a striking composition, opening up the building to the world’s leading orchestras. James Parker reports Andermatt is a small ski... View Article

Working together to harness the benefits of innovation

David Hulme of Square 4 Services discusses the value of roof trades and architects collaborating to ensure that roofing systems achieve design innovation and maximum performance potential Historically, rooftops have served a primary purpose of providing shelter for buildings, but... View Article

Practice Profile: Assembledge+

Already having wide-ranging expertise, Hollywood, USA-based practice Assembledge+ saw its urban planning capabilities greatly enhanced when the founder took the unusual step of recruiting his father to join him. Sébastien Reed reports After graduating with a Bachelors and Master’s degree... View Article

Staying safe & secure

Secured by Design (SBD)’s Emma Snow explains the benefits of the police- backed product certification system, and gives some tips on how you can ensure your home is as secure as possible Secured by Design (SBD) is the national police... View Article

Windows into the future of tradition

Mike Bygrave from Roseview Windows discusses the resurgence of heritage windows, and how self-builders can now benefit from a greater choice than ever before when it comes to finding the right traditional look The window industry used to be about... View Article

Getting buyers fired up

Erica Malkin of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) looks at the key considerations for housebuilders, developers and specifiers when it comes to incorporating a wood burning stove into their project, with the aim of ‘separating fact from fiction.’ Wood burning... View Article

Planet-friendly paint performance

There’s a growing interest in environmentally friendly paints, but you don’t have to sacrifice performance or looks to achieve environmental benefits, as Earthborn Paints’ Colin Jones explains Conventional, acrylic-based paints contain two potentially harmful components: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and... View Article

Creating a healthy environment for future generations

It’s time the construction industry prioritised health when designing and constructing our buildings. The UK’s current housing market will represent 80% of the entire nation’s supply of houses by 2050. This allows us 30 years to develop our approach to... View Article

Clean & simple

In order to help you create a flawlessly minimalist space in your bathroom, Granville Developments’ Matthew Firth offers his top design tips – from the right towel storage using modern radiators, to glass shower screens, and more Bathrooms are, typically,... View Article

The future of beam and block

Ashley Perkins of Milbank Concrete Products explains why housebuilders should be choosing a thermally insulated flooring solution over traditional methods of ground floor construction. Housebuilders should think about the advantages of incorporating insulation into their structural flooring  – underfloor insulation... View Article

Lead by the landscape

Over 100 new apartments are in the works in the Surrey town of Oxted, offering countryside living within commuting distance of the capital. Alison Dowsett, managing director of St William Homes, explains how the team utilised a design concept that... View Article

Retiring gracefully

Ian and Tina Huckle struggled to find a place to build a ‘lifetime’ home after some health problems, until they realised the solution was right under their noses, in their own back garden in Hampshire With their two children having... View Article

Bamboo flooring: the sustainable alternative

Rob Wooldridge from Moso Bamboo Surfaces looks at the many merits of bamboo flooring – and provides some installation tips for self-builds Bamboo flooring may not be your first thought when considering what flooring to lay in your new build... View Article

Strategic glazing specification

Kevin Bonnar of Velfac explains how to get to market faster and improve return on investment with strategic glazing specification. Glazing is one of the most important building products in any low rise or ‘plot by plot’ housebuilding project. High... View Article

The aluminium renaissance

Steve Bromberg of Express Bi-Folding Doors looks at why he believes that more housebuilders than ever are ditching PVCu in favour of aluminium When it comes to the design of a residential or commercial property, the finer details can make... View Article

A sure bet

Despite their background working in the gambling industry, the Cammeghs weren’t prepared to risk anything when they decided to build their forever home, a Passivhaus in a rural spot in Kent As the founders of an internationally- renowned family business... View Article

Step by step

A cosmetic revamp turned into a full blown renovation challenge for a couple in Yorkshire when they bought a house in a familiar coastal village As a planning and development surveyor, Helen Massey had a good idea of what to... View Article

Industrial inspiration

A three-year labour of love by its owner, Blowinghouse Mill sits in a quiet valley in Cornwall. Simon Williams bought the building and the 2.3 acres that surround it in 2015 with the intention of salvaging this end of the... View Article

The devil is in the detail: fire protection processes for timber

Howard Morris at Trade Fabrication Systems explores the relative performance benefits of fire-retardant surface coatings and pressure treatments for timber, and explains the merits of an alternative process Admired for its rustic appearance, strength and cost, timber is an attractive... View Article