Increased fire standards call for informed specifications

Are efforts to improve the fire performance of residential high-rise buildings creating a risk that fully tested, quality – but not future compliant – building solutions may be replaced by seemingly compliant but lower performance products? We believe so and... View Article

Conserving the nation’s history

Adrian Attwood, Executive Director at DBR Ltd, explains the nuances of conservation construction and the pitfalls to avoid From palaces to places of worship, the UK is filled with a plethora of centuries-old landmarks taught about in schools and visited... View Article

Have you tested your metal?

A HVAC system is only as good as the pipes and components that hold it together so choosing the right material for this important job is essential. The wrong choice could compromise a specifier’s design requirements, leaving the whole system... View Article

Putting lighting central to housing design

Our homes constantly evolve, in terms of their functionality, feel and style. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in multiple generations living together, home working and consumers creating activity-specific spaces within their properties such as gyms and playrooms. As homeowners seek... View Article

SAP 10.1 Changes the Heating Industry

From Ross Harrold, Marketing & PR, Electric Heating Company A large challenge faced by the Heating Industry was the methodology for SAP 2012, which was written six years ago. SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) is the methodology used to determine a... View Article

Skellefteå Cultural Centre Q+A | White Arkitekten

ADF speaks with Robert Schmitz of White Arkitekten on the practice’s Skellefteå Cultural Centre project Context 1. How did you first get involved in the work on Skellefteå Cultural Centre? “It was an open international competition announced by the municipality... View Article

Waterproofing historic builds

Specialists must collaborate when preserving historic buildings. Richard Walker of Peter Cox explains Historic Buildings Almost half a million buildings in the UK have heritage protection. This status is awarded to buildings of historical interest across the country, either for... View Article

The wellness factor

Sophie Weston at Geberit explains the role that architects and designers can play in improving wellbeing, by helping create a sensory ‘sanctuary’ in the bathroom Wellbeing. We all know what it is – but just how many of us truly... View Article
Office design – placing nature in the mix

Office design – placing nature in the mix

Biophilic design has become firmly entrenched in the modern office psyche in recent years as the office evolves and we take on a more people-focused approach to its design. Cyril Parsons of Office Principles, considers the various means in which... View Article

An Active Resolution for 2020

Written by Simon McWhirter, Head of Engagement at Active Building Centre. At the start of each year it’s customary to make resolutions for the year ahead which, it is hoped, will encourage positive changes. Of course, for all the best... View Article

The dynamics of a building

The lines between different segments have blurred, and buildings are adopting a variety of identities, which may reflect the characteristics of various segment designs. Here, Marijke Griffioen of Forbo Flooring Systems, discusses these trends and how the use of a... View Article

Let the sunshine in but keep the heat out

Solar Control Glasses: From a luxurious item in the age of fossil fuel to a new benchmark in the era of climate change. The air at the earth’s surface has already warmed up considerably. In 2016, the mean global near-surface... View Article

2018 RIBA National Awards announced

On 21 June 2018, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the 49 winners of the 2018 RIBA National Awards for architecture. The RIBA awards, which have been presented since 1966, recognise the best new buildings and provide an insight into... View Article