Making an entrance better by design

The debate of form and function has long been raging in architecture. Here we speak to Kaz Spiewakowski, managing director of GEZE UK, about whether aesthetics and function are mutually exclusive when it comes to making an entrance. Entrances and... View Article

Managing water in a wetter world

Michael White, business development director of Alumasc Water Management Solutions, says climate change, increased urbanisation and more extreme weather is causing problems for our built environment. Incorporating high capacity steel rainwater systems into our buildings is an effective and affordable... View Article

Inclusive building design under the spotlight

By Kelvin Grimes, project manager for ‘away from home’ assisted accessible toilets at Clos-o-Mat. As a result of developments in the past couple of months alone, architects need to be even more aware of accessibility and inclusivity in their design... View Article

New look for New Street

After a five-year redevelopment, Birmingham’s most important railway station has swapped 1960s brutalism for light-filled fluidity, as Ray Philpott discovers Birmingham New Street station has been transformed with some spectacular new architectural features. Externally, the nondescript, grey concrete, pebble dashed... View Article

Buying into biomass

As a sustainable low-carbon technology, biomass has become an increasingly popular option for housing associations. What’s more, registered landlords who have installed biomass have seen a reduction in fuel bills for their tenants, making it even more attractive – particularly... View Article

Blending fire safety with aesthetics

Steve Bond, customer support manager, fire products, at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, explores how developments in glazing are enabling businesses to meet fire safety regulations without compromising on design or energy performance. Arguably the first consideration for architects, before aesthetics or... View Article

Home Defence force: effective flood defence measures explained

How architects can keep the planning authorities happy and homeowners reassured, by adopting simple, cost effective mitigation measures to both new builds or as ‘retrofits’ to existing properties, explains Frank Kelly, leading flood design engineer the founder of Flood Angel.... View Article

Just another day at the office

Trevor Bowers, director at Washroom Washroom, which has carried out a number of high profile office washroom projects in recent years, discusses the key trends which have helped shape today’s office washroom. Far from seeing the death of the office... View Article

Living in Hope

Rising numbers of students and increasing demand for better accommodation in Liverpool have led to a .boom in purpose-built developments in the city centre that shows no sign of slowing. There are now 50,000 students studying in Liverpool, drawn to... View Article

Eye-catching academy is vital to regeneration scheme

Ray Philpott finds out how a well thought-out free school in inner-city Leeds manages to look so strikingly different despite working to the rigours of the Government’s school building programme. When it opens for business next year, the Ryder Architecture-designed... View Article

Climate control for students

When constructing or refurbishing educational buildings, the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is key to providing an optimal living and learning environment. As David Simoes, brand manager with Zehnder explains, a good system means students can work, rest... View Article

Installing canopies and shelters in an educational environment

Installing products like canopies and shelters in schools can be both challenging and rewarding, but what are the main considerations when installing in an educational environment? SAS Shelters Managing Director Andy Swain shares his insights into manufacturing and installing products... View Article

Putting education on a firm footing

Guy Stanton, director, Nora Flooring Systems UK, highlights some of the useful qualities of rubber floor coverings in the educational environment. The physical environment has a strong influence on learning and with floor coverings forming a major component within the... View Article

Permitted development rights to be made permanent

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has announced new measures that will make it easier to turn underused office buildings into new homes. The move is designed to provide thousands of new homes, and make the best use of existing... View Article

Could modular roofing be the solution to the housing crisis?

The housing crisis is something that has been discussed extensively in the media over the last few years and the ambitious target of 200,000 houses per annum means that we will need to employ new methods of construction if we hope to make any headway in the... View Article

Smoke and fire protection

Protection from smoke and fire is a key responsibility for housebuilders and installers to ensure the correct fire safety measures are in place. Lack of consideration to essential aspects of fire safety could not only result in fatalities or property... View Article