Not just any old place

London’s first luxury retirement community offers retirees independent living alongside hotel-inspired amenities, all within sight of Battersea’s Albert Bridge. Lara Haddock of Battersea Place walks Jack Wooler around the development. Just across the road from Battersea Park, within eyesight of... View Article

Keeping up external appearances

Chris Frankland of Marshalls makes the case for early involvement between developers and manufacturers to put great-looking, premium exterior spaces back on the agenda for every development – even when budgets are tight. As a developer, you’ll know that a... View Article

Minimising waste in water treatment

With new regulations governing the use of septic tanks in force, David Stagg of Graf UK talks housebuilders and developers through their options for compliance. Housebuilders and developers building properties off the mains sewage network need to be aware of... View Article

Digitising construction: A critical mission

Listen here Adrian Wild of Integro Construction Software explains why every housebuilding business should be using the software now available to maximise profits. If housebuilders could have been offered today’s construction software all those years ago, they’d likely have have... View Article

A compelling case: Gable wall spandrel panels

Listen here In light of the Government’s 300,000 homes a year target and its recent push for higher quality in housing, Tim Tasker of Pasquill puts the case for why gable wall spandrel panels should be found on every building... View Article

Be the catalyst for change

Futurebuild 2020 is heading to the London Excel in March this year, aiming to unite construction professionals across the sector to create real change From recent demonstrations to Government declarations, according to the event organisers at Futurebuild 2020, the message... View Article

Connecting the dots

Rupert Kazlauciunas of Zehnder Group UK discusses how technology such as AI assisted ventilation can tackle some of the housing sector’s chronic issues What connects net zero targets, smart devices, social housing, the UK’s housing crisis and healthy homes? All... View Article

Be proactive about gas safety

Bob Kerr of the Gas Safe Register reminds readers of the legal requirements associated with gas installation and maintenance, and highlights contractor management in the housing sector as vitally important to ensuring registration, competence and monitoring Among the array of... View Article

Reducing costly repeat drainage issues

Chris Nelson of Metro Rod discusses the importance of efficient maintenance of drainage to reduce costly repeat visits Blocked drains are a common issue in housing, and can lead to significant costs for providers and local authorities – as well... View Article

Flat roof refurbishment: why choose liquids?

Listen here. Victoria Ramwell of Kemper System discusses the key considerations of flat roof refurbishment in housing projects The refurbishment of any housing complex requires adequate planning to ensure budget and time constraints are adhered to – not to mention... View Article

Addressing a national problem

Nicolas Maari of multi-disciplinary firm Pellings looks at the challenges for designers around providing interim accommodation for the homeless Homelessness is an ongoing and growing problem, with the number of homeless people increasing by a third between 2012 and 2018.... View Article

Automatic for the people

Listen here. Ken Price of the Automatic Door Suppliers Association looks at how access control is fast becoming part of a bigger ‘automatic solution’ – linking access control with automatic doors for improved safety, security and smart facilities management You... View Article
Sustainable surfaces

Sustainable surfaces

Permeable external surfaces provide the starting point for sustainable surface water drainage (also known as SuDS), but concrete block permeable paving offers far more than flood prevention, explains Chris Hodson of Interpave It’s over three years since the Government chose... View Article

BREEAM Awards 2020

ADF previews the shortlisted entries for the BREEAM Awards which presents the best in international construction sustainability, and features a new ‘personal’ award for 2020 The annual BREEAM Awards, says their organiser BRE, showcases “the most innovatively sustainable BREEAM rated... View Article

Be the catalyst for change

The organisers of FutureBuild 2020 are looking to inspire architects to join fellow industry leaders and innovators at this year’s event to be the “catalyst for change” that’s needed to help deliver a more sustainable built environment Futurebuild’s conference returns... View Article

Ask the Architect: Alberto Basaglia

Alberto Basaglia, co-founder of Italian firm Basaglia + Rota Nodari Studio, answers ADF’s questions on what influences his designs, the importance of balance, and sustainability Why did you become an architect? When I was a kid, I made a sofa-exercise-bike... View Article
Bold as brass

Bold as brass

The project architect in charge of a new architecturally adventurous flagship retail store in the German city of Wuppertal explains to Jack Wooler how the practice went about revitalising a large brownfield site, and created a unique retail environment. In... View Article
Two views of the river

Two views of the river

Listen here. A new pier has opened for the Thames’ main river taxi which provides new public space as well as vital transport infrastructure, in a design which divides the structure into two to make the most of its location.... View Article
Sound advice on architectural glazing

Sound advice on architectural glazing

Enhanced acoustic requirements are becoming a commonplace consideration in contract documents, says Mark Hargreaves of Technal, who discusses glazing strategies to mitigate noise and the correct approach to acoustic design As a main element to most buildings, the glazed openings... View Article