No compromise

Replacing a single-storey bungalow with a highly contemporary two-storey house of bold geometric forms – built to take in views across Poole Harbour – was a quest for minimalist perfection for one self-builder In a road where modest 1960s bungalows... View Article

Overcoming urban space and time challenges

Apartment living is on the rise, posing challenges for construction professionals when it comes to delivering residential units on time in compact footprints; Richard Bateman from RWC discusses solutions that can help architects Due to the rapid economic, demographic and... View Article

Why timber needs to be in the frame

Malcolm Thomson of Scotframe explains why he believes timber frame is the ‘gold standard’ for modern construction and why we should all be thinking about fabric-first approaches Offsite timber frame construction allows homes to be built faster and to a... View Article

Adding value to fenestration design

Ian Osborne of Kestrel Aluminium Systems explains how the aluminium industry has evolved to reduce waste and optimise production, enabling the material to compete with PVCu in a range of sectors The increasing preference for aluminium in window and doorframe... View Article

Lifting architectural barriers

Sean O’Sullivan explores how platform lifts can overcome architectural barriers and help create inclusive design solutions within workspaces Achieving the Government’s target to get one million more disabled people into work by 2027 is largely dependent on the number of... View Article

View Point: Kelly Watson of Hatch Regeneris

With architects increasingly asked to demonstrate the added value of their work, Dr Kelly Watson of Hatch Regeneris discusses how they can more explicitly harness the wider social value of projects The social value agenda has visibly gained prominence and... View Article

Ask the Architect: Jo Cowen

Jo Cowen, founder of Jo Cowen Architects, explains her ethos for managing a practice and what drives her as a designer Why did you decide to found your own practice in 2012? I have always had the ambition of starting... View Article

Practice Profile: Simone de Gale Architects

An agile firm with an open-minded remit, Simone de Gale Architects champions a wide range of design typologies, innovation in materials, and diversity in architecture. The practice’s founder speaks to Sébastien Reed Simone de Gale Architects founded her practice in... View Article

Offsite timber is construction’s future

Stewart Dalgarno of Stewart Milne Timber Systems discusses why modern methods of construction coupled with a build fabric such as timber frame is key to meeting Government housing targets sustainably. Industry reports are increasingly signalling a move towards modern methods... View Article

How offsite benefits better fire protection

Ian King of Zeroignition looks at the benefits of modern methods of construction, and how the solutions offered by adopting an offsite approach can be applied to benefit fire protection and safety. Recently, the National Housing Federation found that more... View Article

Reinforcing the GRP Message

Andy Fell of Hambleside Danelaw explores how housebuilders and developers can avoid the common pitfalls of flat roofing by specifying glass reinforced polyester (GRP), explaining its various benefits. How many times have you heard it said: ‘flat roofs never last... View Article

Rendering best practice more achievable

Dale Telling of Fassa Bortolo UK looks at the steps to take in choosing the best external render system for your next development. Practical, durable and stylish, render systems can completely transform the exterior of a property through colour or finish,... View Article

Getting cement selection right

Sandra Higginson of Tarmac Cement explains the importance of selecting the right cement products in order to reduce waste and costs. For professional builders, saving time and money remains of paramount importance. However, as anyone with experience knows, opting for... View Article

Building knowledge

The construction and design show for London is back, and this time it is ‘bigger and better than ever.’ Focusing on a diverse array of current topics, London Build is jam packed with content, networking and entertainment. This year, London... View Article

Raising the bar for renters

A new build-to-rent development is under construction in Leeds, which is set to bring a host of hotel-style amenities to over 500 homes across two high-rise blocks. In Leeds city centre, construction has begun on 515 homes spread over two... View Article

A big eco ambition on a small site

Five new ‘eco’ homes have been completed on a ‘micro site’ in Enfield, which combine environmental efficiency with a traditional feel. Nic London, of SME builder and developer NLondon Construction, spoke to Jack Wooler. To the north of the capital,... View Article

Understanding green roofs

The demand for green roof technologies is ramping up, yet they are complex structures that require understanding; luckily a range of information sources are available to architects and specifiers. Amanda de Sousa of BMI UK & Ireland explains more According... View Article

Why the UK’s cafe culture needs less reverb

Paul Absolon of CMS Danskin Acoustics looks at solutions to reverberation problems in noisy cafes, which are increasingly prevalent in the UK The proliferation of coffee shops over the last few decades can’t have escaped anyone’s attention. Even before the... View Article

Opportunity knocks for flood defence solutions

With increased frequency of flooding being experienced across the UK in recent years, Kevin Kiernan of Bowater Doors looks at the impact of climate change and what architects need to consider in specifying flood defence doors The weather remains one... View Article

Shedding light on daylight modelling

Architectural journalist Gideon Sykes looks at the latest advances in daylight modelling and how it can help architects and specifiers determine the right light levels for their projects Daylighting is the art and science of managing natural light to minimise... View Article