Ahead of the curve

LISTEN HERE As an alternative to revolving doors, automatic curved sliding doors are a great way of combining efficiency with a stunning focal point at a building’s entrance. James White from Record UK explains the options for specifiers Curved sliding... View Article

Ask the Architect: Festus Moffat

LISTEN HERE Festus Moffat, director at John Robertson Architects (JRA), answers ADF’s questions on his motivations, and his practice’s future plans What made you want to become an architect? Growing up, I was always interested in drawing, and in art,... View Article

Serving past and future needs

LISTEN HERE A design and development team embarking on its first new build aimed for an affordably high standard of residential design and build, with an aesthetic that beds the scheme into its historic context. Jack Wooler reports Somerbrook is... View Article

Keeping in touch

LISTEN HERE An extra care scheme in Camden designed to offer extra connections to the community evolved to include younger residents, in efficiently-designed flats with the focus on wellness and sustainability. James Parker speaks to PRP Architects about the approach... View Article

Sustainability strengths

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Nobody doubts the strength of steel as a construction material, but its qualities in the field of sustainability may be less immediately obvious, says Russell Ager from Crittall Windows It’s steel’s strength that makes the key contribution... View Article

The challenge of natural ventilation in urban areas

LISTEN HERE 🔊 John McComb from Reynaers Aluminium examines the challenges of naturally ventilating properties in high density urban areas, and how a collaboration on a new window design could offer a viable solution The population of cities globally is... View Article

Taking in the island scenery

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Architect Jane Burnside took on an unusually wide range of project roles to create her tranquil, contemporary home and workplace on the Isle of Mull, inspired by origami. Nik Hunter reports Introducing a contemporary building into a... View Article

Natural harmony

LISTEN HERE In a new district of Shenzhen, a project to create a performing arts centre saw Rocco Design Architects use the coastal landscape as inspiration for a striking form in harmony with its context. Roseanne Field reports The Bao’an... View Article

View Point: Alex Thomas

LISTEN HERE 🔊 As the gaps on our high streets grow, it’s time to future-proof them for the growing cohort of tech-enabled and eco-conscious customers by harnessing the potential of digital venues, says Alex Thomas from HKS Architects There is... View Article

Ask the Architect: Melanie Jacobsen Cox

LISTEN HERE 🔊 The new head of healthcare at HLM, Melanie Jacobsen Cox, answers ADF’s questions on what makes her tick What made you want to become an architect? I have construction in my blood through my grandfather and dad,... View Article

Smart steps to wellness

LISTEN HERE SOM created the ‘smartest building in Chicago’ with a terraced form designed to bridge the gap between its historic low-rise and high-rise context. Its architect gives James Parker the lowdown on reaching high levels of workplace sustainability SOM,... View Article

Riding high

LISTEN HERE 🔊 A world-class multi-storey skate park has been constructed in Folkestone, Kent, a novel concrete form also designed to attract climbers and boxers, and which has quickly become a popular local landmark. Jack Wooler reports F51 is a... View Article

Inspiration returns

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) is returning after a two-year break from 24-26 May, taking over London’s creative hub with promises to be the ‘biggest and boldest’ yet Since it made its debut in 2009, CDW has become... View Article

Practice Profile: THISS Architects

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Looking to carve out a niche as a new practice, THISS Architects focus on craftsmanship, collaboration, and landscape with a goal of ensuring that no two projects are ever the same. The firm’s founders explain their working... View Article

New colours on the block

LISTEN HERE MVRDV’s first completed major US project is a mixed use scheme including a boutique hotel, which makes a bold architectural diversity statement in a range of colours and scales to help it blend with the locality. Tom Boddy... View Article

Respecting climate & culture

LISTEN HERE A timber research facility has been constructed in Rotorua, New Zealand which combines a net zero design showcasing timber’s potential with a high degree of local cultural sensitivity. Jack Wooler reports  The fritted pattern of the glazing between... View Article

Ask the Architect: Liz Leber

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Liz Leber, managing partner of New York practice Beyer Blinder Belle, drives her firm to work with clients who have a clear “mission”, but also strives to extract their core project objectives. She explains the “creativity, pragmatism,... View Article

Health and wellbeing at work

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Architects Saunders have designed what will be one of the most sustainable business parks in the UK, with the focus on sustainable construction and healthy lifestyles for staff. Managing director Martin Williams explains why it is an... View Article

More than meets the eyes

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Retail developments in Chinese cities now contain much more than just retail, and are designed to be ‘all-in-one’ destinations; the new Shanghai Jiuguang Center is no exception. Roseanne Field reports The Shanghai Jiuguang Center, located in the... View Article

Selling biophilic benefits

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Shopping malls are a key social destination in China, and with this in mind Lead8 sought to provide a landscape-rich interior to enhance the experience of a new mixed-use scheme in Chongqing, in the form of a... View Article