Zenon Rooflights – living the BREEAM

According to The Building Research Establishment (BRE), a BREEAM certificate “demonstrates to everyone that claims of sustainability – and the benefits and value it brings – can be confidently accepted”. Achieving an outstanding result in the BREEAM assessment process is... View Article

Two against the odds

An architect and his former rugby team mate decided to collaborate on two semi-detached, energy-efficient homes in Surrey. But as Tom Boddy reports, they couldn’t have anticipated the challenges that awaited them When architect Rik Hall (of Arc8 Projects Architects)... View Article

The safe bet for decking

William Hogg of Ecodek discusses the options for blending safety standards and sustainability with striking design when it comes to aluminium decking The specification of non-combustible building materials in the design of high-rise buildings has never been such a prevalent... View Article

Practice Profile: Stride Treglown

Pierre Wassenaar from the top 10 UK practice speaks to Tom Boddy about how the firm’s social value ethos has sustained since its inception, and has led to it achieving a demanding business standard for inclusivity and sustainability Since its... View Article

Opening the door to better hygiene

In healthcare environments, infection control is of course a critical concern. Tim Checketts of dormakaba discusses the door and access control solutions that can help to minimise the spread of germs and bacteria The design of healthcare buildings must balance... View Article

Rethinking rainwater harvesting for SuDS

Mark Manning of SDS discusses rainwater reuse in the context of SuDS regulations, and says that architects could be mistakenly rejecting such approaches as an important option for sustainable drainage Whenever an architect receives a design commission that includes sustainable... View Article

Elevated aspirations

A rare speculative office scheme in Sunderland faced a host of challenges, from the demise of Carillion, to a tough local commercial market. As such, Feilden Clegg Bradley (FCBStudios) produced a distinctively attractive, lean building, reports James Parker The prominent,... View Article

Get it right on the tiles

If you are looking to specify a tiled floor, it is crucial to understand what preparation is required to ensure that new or existing floor substrates are suitable. Stuart Ross of BAL looks at the different likely substrates, and the... View Article

View Point: Richard Hill of Arup

Despite the technical challenges, designers have an obligation to explore the potential to conserve and reuse heritage structures, says Richard Hill of Arup While there is an inherent desire in our industry to build new and start afresh, it is... View Article

Overview to structural waterproofing

Offered by structural waterproofing experts, Triton Systems, this online CPD seminar is ideal for those looking for a brief overview to what is a highly comprehensive subject.  The 16-minute video, presented by a CSSW qualified, structural waterproofing specialist, covers the... View Article

How can design make leisure centres more inclusive?

Sport England estimates that inactivity causes one in six deaths and costs the NHS approximately £1 billion per year. With UK sport and leisure facilities now reopening their doors, we need to consider who is using these facilities and what... View Article

Opening new doors at Finborough School

Finborough School, an independent day and boarding school based in situated in the village of Great Finborough, near Stowmarket, Suffolk, has recently added a brand new Science and Art building to its complex, comprising of art rooms, a photography suite and... View Article

Staggering Success!

Water penetrating cavity wall masonry above stepped and staggered gables is controlled using approved Cavitrays. The only gable abutment system awarded European Technical Approval is manufactured by the UK specialist Cavity Trays Ltd. The DPC tray adjusts to suit the... View Article