Bridging the gap between architects and contractors

By Tony Owen, Novus Property Solutions Ask any architect how they feel about their faith in contractors to work accurately to a brief, and you’ll see some raised eyebrows. Ask a contractor about their relationship with architects, and you’ll likely... View Article

Managing risk in megaprojects

By Steve Cooper, general manager UK and Ireland at Aconex ‘Megaproject’ is the term applied to multibillion-dollar investment projects such as vast railways, airports, highways or huge entertainment venues. Such schemes can be economically transformative for a country. Consider the Panama... View Article

Elmhurst Energy welcomes publication of the Bonfield Report

Energy performance measurement specialists Elmhurst Energy has welcomed the publication of the long-awaited “Each Home Matters” report by Peter Bonfield, but has expressed disappointment at some omissions. Despite having the scope of reviewing ‘Consumer Advice, Protection, Standards and Enforcement for... View Article

VIEW POINT: Nigel Ostime

Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown Architects and chair of the RIBA Client Liaison Group discusses the group’s just-published industry survey, which has important revelations on what architects do well, but also what they must improve on The best projects generally come... View Article

The rise and rise of CLT buildings

Dr Keerthi Ranasinghe discusses how cross-laminated timber is helping architects go to new lengths Architects’ desire to create sustainable structures has pushed technological innovations beyond the imaginable. Cross-laminated timber, or CLT for short, has been drawing a lot of attention... View Article

Choosing the right workplace settings

Oliver Ronald of The Boss Design Group explains how the emergence of the concept of settings is influencing workplace design to benefit performance Workplace design and furniture specification are no longer just about the space available. The modern office is... View Article

Bridging the divide: a question of choice

David Clarke of IDSystems looks at the options for specifiers when it comes to choosing glazed doors to bring the outside in Bridging the divide between indoors and outdoors is one of the main reasons homeowners seek to employ ‘open... View Article

A bathroom that works for everyone

Designing washrooms for multi-ability use is a sensitive process and the influx of products combining style and substance means architects are spoilt for choice. Lisa Ward of Bristan offers expert guidance When planning a residential development, architects face the challenge... View Article

Practice Profile – 2020 Architects

Norman Hayden meets a Northern Ireland team with a clear vision of the future To produce a much-lauded conversion, have it featured prominently on television, and then win an award for it has to be a dream for most architects.... View Article

Autumn Statement comment: Policy must drive change

Statements from the Chancellor of the Exchequer aren’t always cause for celebration, but this one has left us feeling cautiously optimistic. Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing at Eurocell, takes a view. Wrapped up as the National Productivity Investment Fund –... View Article

European Standard for concrete structures is revised

BSI, the business standards company, has revised BS EN 206 Concrete – Specification, performance, production and conformity. The European Standard applies to concrete for structures cast in situ, precast structures, and structural precast products for buildings and civil engineering structures.... View Article

Specifying lintels for the energy savvy

Steel lintels can have a crucial impact on a project, especially when it comes to addressing energy conservation. Richard Price, Technical Director at Catnic, provides a useful overview to help architects make a well-informed decision. No matter what type, size, scale... View Article

A lesson to learn

Creating educational buildings with zero energy usage and carbon footprints is perfectly possible. So why aren’t we building more? Neil Smith of design firm UK Energy Partners shares his thoughts. There’s no doubt the way we design and construct buildings consumes... View Article

Knowledge is power

Teachers know schools best and their input can be vital during a redesign. Pellings partner Nicolas Maari argues for the benefits of encouraging teachers to have a say in the design of UK schools. The soaring demand for school places... View Article

The convenience of co-ordination

Architects are increasingly looking to tie washroom design into the overall look of a building’s interior – and high-spec products are becoming more commonplace. Trevor Bowers of Washroom Washroom explores the diverse range of solutions on offer. By continually pushing... View Article