Six successful apprentices for Designer Contracts

Six apprentices have successfully completed their training programmes with Designer Contracts, the UK’s largest flooring contractor. Three of them formed part of the company’s first cohort of apprentice fitters, taken on in 2022 under a new block release training scheme.... View Article

Go ahead for major 836-bed PBSA scheme in Birmingham

Acting on behalf of The Galliard Apsley Partnership, Knight Frank’s Planning team has secured the green light from Birmingham City Council for a major new 836-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Selly Oak, Birmingham. The large-scale mixed-use regeneration project,... View Article

PRP awarded BCorp certification

PRP is proud to announce that they have been awarded BCorporation certification, joining the distinguished list of companies in the built environment to achieve this milestone. Certified B Corporations are businesses that are meeting high standards of performance, accountability and... View Article

Building Safety Act impacts envelope design

The introduction of the Building Safety Act requires detail design of the building’s envelope to take place much earlier in the design process. This makes working with an envelope specialist all the more beneficial explains Clayton Kingman, UK Head of... View Article

The Phoenix, Lewes: a first look at the future

Kathryn Firth of Arup reveals a groundbreaking residential scheme in East Sussex that seeks to turn the drivers of climate emergency and sustainability into opportunities for better design and placemaking in shared amenities, plus affordable living Now granted planning as... View Article

The growing demand for SuDs

With UK weather seemingly wetter than ever and flooding causing problems across the country, demand for sustainable drainage systems has never been higher. Hannah Hyslop of Cemex discusses the role of permeable paving Increased urbanisation and construction, such as impermeable... View Article

Playgrounds are no-go areas for one in two UK kids

Britain’s playgrounds are turning into no-go areas for the nation’s children – with half (49%) rarely or never visiting one, new research reveals. Two out of five (44%) parents cite poor condition of equipment as the main reason for keeping... View Article

Tillymint Communications has excellence in its sights

Midlands Marketing and Public Relations consultant Tillymint Communications has made the finals of a prestigious industry award – for the third year running. The company, run by Alison Gallagher-Hughes, has been shortlisted in the Independent Practitioner category of the CIPR... View Article

Ask the Architect: Gillian Burgis Smith

Gillian Burgis Smith details how she became an architect, overcoming some outdated industry mindsets and major health obstacles; and how she has positively harnessed her own experience to create inclusive environments for others What made you want to become an... View Article

SPPARC appointed by Yoo Capital for Camden Film Quarter

SPPARC, the London-based architecture studio co-designing Olympia and behind the redevelopment of Borough Yards, has announced its appointment by real estate investment firm Yoo Capital as masterplanner architect for a new mixed-use neighbourhood in Camden’s Kentish Town, anchored by a... View Article

Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters, Denmark Hill

Architects and ‘urbanist’ studio TateHindle has completed work on the new six-storey Salvation Army UK and Ireland Headquarters in Denmark Hill, London. This project saw the successful delivery of an elegant, sustainable cost effective new home for the charity, fit... View Article

Olympia opens up

Freeing up the sclerotic site that London’s historic events venue had become over the decades was a refreshing challenge for Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC. James Parker visited the site to hear about their collaboration to create a new cultural district... View Article

An uplift for inclusion

Mark Chapman of Stannah Lifts discusses the specification options available to provide access for all users of new and retrofit schemes using space-saving platform lifts Platform lifts are governed by the Machinery Directive (note: not the Lift Directive) which means... View Article