Finishes for the future

Steve Grimwood of Osmo UK provides an insight into the various benefits of wood flooring, and why specifiers should choose natural finish options Wooden flooring is a beautiful feature of any home, but it is important to understand that as... View Article

Getting rainscreen (bracket) details right

As rainscreens continue their popularity in both new builds and retrofits, David Fraser of SFS discusses the finer details behind these building envelope systems, and how correct bracket specification simplifies complex challenges There’s no doubt that rainscreens are becoming ever... View Article

Practice Profile: Samira Rathod Design Atelier

James Parker finds out how the award-winning firm of Indian architect Samira Rathod pursues its goals of creating sensual, context-focused beauty using locally-sourced natural materials Mumbai-based architect Samira Rathod attended the renowned Sir J. J. College of Architecture in the... 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

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. James Parker... 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

Getting to grips with daylighting

Gary Dean of OnLevel UK explores the importance of daylighting in building design and the benefits of specifying glass clamps to help facilitate it Ensuring your home, workplace or recreational space maximises the use of natural light is fast becoming... View Article

Lighting the way to sustainability

William McDowell of Hambleside Danelaw explains how recent innovations in GRP rooflights can help specifiers contribute towards BREEAM and sustainability It is impossible to be unaware of the drive to increase our sustainability in building design. However, many architects are... View Article