A whole new village – just for the retired

On the outskirts of Witney, architects PRC are helping Richmond Care Villages create a whole new village – just for the retired, as Steve Menary reports Getting old is hard to avoid and retirement is inevitable. The alternatives are not... View Article

British Design – Xintiandi Style

The RIBA Shanghai Windows project saw nine UK architects transform store fronts in the landmark Xintiandi shopping district in Shanghai. Stephen Cousins reports An ethereal artificial waterfall comprising 30,000 metres of translucent cord; an alien-inspired formation of shiny crystalline metal;... View Article

Listen to this!

John Spicer, technical sales manager for Armstrong Ceilings, advises seven things architects may not necessarily know about specifying ceilings Ceilings are capable of so much more than just disguising a soffit or void. They can optimise acoustics and occupant well-being... View Article

Rooflights and building excellence

Correct rooflight design at the outset of the building concept can have dramatic, positive effects on all aspects of the building from the owners potential asset value to the wellbeing and productivity of the final occupants. Phil Beswick, specification sales... View Article

Sleek new interchange design delivers the best of both worlds

A striking blend of modern architecture and heritage transport infrastructure makes Altrincham Interchange something of a destination in itself. Ray Philpott reports. Atruly integrated transport interchange where it’s possible to access several different modes of transport with minimal effort is... View Article

The magic of film

Continuing advances in window film technology mean that a range of difficult glazing challenges in the transport sector can be met effectively and cost-efficiently. Micky Calcott, managing director of specialists,The Window Film Company, reveals how. The world of transport utilises... View Article

An oasis on the motorway

Designed as a cathedral to food, the new Gloucester services on the southbound M5 are the complete opposite to big-brand motorway fuel stops. Could they revolutionise motorway services’ design? Alison Harmer investigates At a stunning rural location flanking the Cotswolds... View Article

Planes, trains, automobiles… and street furniture

With tight budget restrictions and a multitude of requirements to fulfil, transport sector architects and specifiers are faced with a difficult task when choosing the right street furniture. Nigel Kightley, sales director at CIS Street Furniture, spotlights three products vital... View Article

Future-proofing transport infrastucture with steel

As passenger numbers grow, specifying the right materials to future-proof stations and airports has never been more important. Andrew Jackson, director at SAS International, looks at how steel solutions meet the required design flexibility and aesthetic demand while providing long-term... View Article

Paving the way for a better passenger experience

Sally Binns, Marshalls’ rail expert, takes us on a journey to find out how good design and carefully selected materials can enhance the passenger experience from the station interface to the platform. Around 6.5 million passengers travel on Britain’s rail... View Article

Cracking the flooring challenge

Transport facilities are subject to heavy footfall and tiled flooring offers an aesthetically appealing and hard-wearing solution in this environment. But even the most resilient surfaces are vulnerable to damage after installation. Judith Mawtus, general manager at Dural UK, offers... View Article

A private balcony – from idea to reality

It is no coincidence that “balcony” is now one of the most searched keywords when people are looking for a new home. Estate agents are often told that the apartment they are offering would be perfect, “if only it had... View Article

Retail and rail – the design challenge

Since its creation, the architecture of the railways has been primarily about facilitating transportation. Now, as today’s travellers require multi-tasking spaces, architects and designers need to create retail opportunities as an essential part of the journey from pavement to platform,... View Article

Improving the appearance and thermal efficiency of buildings

Structural defects and poor thermal efficiency are issues affecting a significant number of non-traditional and prefabricated concrete (PRC) buildings. Andy Carter, Structherm’s technical manager, looks at how Structural External Wall Insulation (SEWI) can be used to remediate these problems Many... View Article