Bringing a sense of theatre to Devon flood defences

LISTEN HERE Paul Hargreaves from Jacobs describes how the firm innovated a flood defence project in Sidmouth to create a dual-use amphitheatre for residents, as an amenity which enhanced the environment while helping protect them from future floods The Sidmouth... View Article

A performance-based approach to energy modelling & rating

LISTEN HERE Shikha Bhardwaj from Hawkins\Brown looks at the changing conversation around energy, and the shift from ‘designing for compliance’ to ‘designing for performance,’ as embodied in the increasingly popular NABERS approach The conversation around energy is changing. The energy... View Article

A team effort

LISTEN HERE Providing a wide range of health and wellbeing facilities, and passing the finish line five months ahead of schedule, a new leisure centre in Leicestershire is set to become a central part of the local community. Paolo Coyle... View Article

Practice Profile: Space Group

LISTEN HERE This Newcastle-based practice has built a reputation around the development of digital design services alongside project commissions, with a particular focus on harnessing the benefits of BIM. CEO Rob Charlton explains its ethos to Laura Shadwell North east... View Article

A singularly caring approach

LISTEN HERE A new replacement for a 70s hospital which removed valuable parts of central Liverpool, a major new health facility for the city bridges healthcare and academia, restores urban quality, and has more ensuite single rooms than any other... View Article

Ask the Architect: Jerry Ryan

LISTEN HERE As co-founder of London based international architecture and urban design practice HKR Architects, Jerry Ryan shares his passion for the history of architecture, and looks forward to a technological future as the practice celebrates its 30th year What... View Article

Site Lines: A heritage refurb checklist

LISTEN HERE Simon Castle from Chisholm & Winch discusses the varied, but essential considerations that architects need to bear in mind when approaching listed building renovations According to Historic England, there are estimated to be around 500,000 listed buildings on... View Article

A blend of art & architecture

LISTEN HERE The former home and studio of renowned Pre-Raphaelite painter Frederic Lord Leighton has evolved as a museum over its long life; its latest reimagining is a sensitive and artistic refurb by BDP, as Tom Boddy reports London is... View Article

Showing how to build with stone

LISTEN HERE Many homeowners dream of including natural stone somewhere in the home. Whether it is limestone floors, granite worktops, marble in the bathroom, a sandstone patio or a slate roof, the chances are there will be natural stone somewhere.... View Article

The rise of underfloor venting

LISTEN HERE Karl Stauss at AET Flexible Space discusses the changing face of commercial ventilation Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) may seem almost incidental when designing commercial spaces. But with changing working trends and new regulations now in force,... View Article

National savings

LISTEN HERE Andrew Mellor from PRP Architects wonders whether a real energy saving strategy would be more relevant than the Government’s new Powering Up Britain idea The new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero recently published its Powering Up... View Article

New social value on the block

LISTEN HERE James Parker reports on MVRDV’s scheme to transform a Paris city block, which produced a scheme that visually celebrates its intertwined mix of office, library and hotel spaces, and added further value with social housing Montparnasse sits in... View Article

Ask the Architects: Andrew Chapman & Tim Chestnutt

LISTEN HERE ADF gets two perspectives from Leeds practice Brewster Bye Architects – residential and student accommodation specialist and newly appointed director Andrew Chapman, and recently qualified architect Tim Chestnutt What made you want to become an architect? Andrew: From an... View Article

UKCW London makes its return this May

LISTEN HERE A host of famous faces, interactive demos, new features and ground-breaking products await visitors to the UK’s largest event for the built environment, UK Construction Week (UKCW), when it makes a welcome return to London’s ExCeL from 2-4 May... View Article

Highlighting reasons to come to Clerkenwell in 2023

LISTEN HERE Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), now in its 12th edition, will return to EC1 London between 23-25 May. Taking place across the whole of Clerkenwell, the festival is set to offer its biggest programme yet. Featuring more than 600... View Article

Discreetly ecological, on a grand scale

LISTEN HERE Nottingham-based CPMG Architects spoke to ADF’s Tom Boddy about their phase of an extensive hotel and spa complex under construction west of Shanghai, which is driven by sustainability and embedded into the landscape Situated two hours west of... View Article

Robust insulation remedies

LISTEN HERE Paul Barrett from ROCKWOOL UK outlines the importance of robust installation methods when specifying insulation, and why a more holistic approach is needed Until very recently, the UK’s net zero strategy has been dominated by discussions on how... View Article

ARCHITECT@WORK 2023

LISTEN HERE The curated two-day trade fair aimed at the British architecture and design community, ARCHITECT@WORK will return to the Truman Brewery, London on 22-23 March. The 10th edition will see a stellar line-up of talks plus over 200 of... View Article

View Point: Martin Williams of Saunders

LISTEN HERE Despite running an established practice with a strong senior team, Saunders MD Martin Williams explains what’s needed from new talent in the market I began my career as a hungry young architect, willing to take on a variety... View Article

SENDing a message on design for better inclusivity

LISTEN HERE Catherine Ward from HLM Architects explores the key principles of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) design and their importance for ensuring that every school pupil has a chance to thrive and reach their full potential The past... View Article