A higher bar for glass safety in high rise balconies

Andy Lake of Pyroguard explains the impact of the latest Building Regulations & fire safety legislation updates on glazed balconies for high rise buildings. In recent years, fire safety regulations in the construction industry have undergone significant changes, following the... View Article

Futureproof by design

Chris Stammers of the BEAMA’s Underfloor Heating Group explores the key benefits and latest research around low temperature heat emitters, and how they can support specification choices that futureproof residential projects. With the Future Homes and Buildings Standard (FHS) due... View Article

Declaring an interest in hitting lower carbon goals

Neil Turner of Ecological Building Systems explores how Environmental Product Declarations are helping the construction industry move towards its goals of low carbon building, by providing verified information on environmental impact. The UK construction industry is working towards achieving net... View Article

Connecting the dots

Tom Reynolds of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association explains why joined-up thinking in bathroom design is vital, and how collaboration across the sector can drive innovation, sustainability, and smarter regulation. It may be a small space in the grand scheme of... View Article

Engineering-out structural emissions early

Jack Brunton and Ioana Price of AECOM explore how designers can redefine carbon calculations by assessing carbon at the early design and optioneering stage. The built environment is a significant contributor to the UK’s carbon emission and is responsible for... View Article

Canary conservation

Ruth Slavid reports on how Buckley Gray Yeoman successfully pursued the most sustainable option for a real estate client in Canary Wharf – reusing one of the site’s original offices with a BREEAM Outstanding refurb, enhanced by some striking cladding.... View Article

Going greener with British bricks

Robert Flello of the Brick Development Association (BDA) explores how locally sourced clay bricks offer a lower-carbon, resilient solution for sustainable construction, blending heritage with environmental responsibility in modern building. From residential to commercial buildings, the UK’s built environment is... View Article

Resistant glazing for modern safety requirements

Stephen Malkin of Promat UK explains why a complete system approach to fire resistant glazing design and specification is key, post-Building Safety Act. Building products of all kinds are understandably being subjected to much greater scrutiny since the publication of... View Article

Sound support for schools

Holly Rivers of Heckmondwike FB discusses how noise in schools impacts learning and teaching, highlighting the need for better acoustic standards and the role of carpets in creating quieter environments that allow pupils better focus. In recent years, research has... View Article

Zinc: the natural choice

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc tracks how zinc has played a key role in iconic buildings from Paris’ monuments to modern campuses and healthcare facilities – and how this durable and highly recyclable material is now culturally recognised by UNESCO. Zinc... View Article

Looking to the future

Vivalda discusses how a creative cladding system transformed a Northern Irish primary school, using engraved volcanic rock panels to create a striking facade that celebrates diversity, local history, and hope. Creative cladding has been instrumental in the aesthetic of a... View Article

Practice Profile: AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis is a firm that has redefined architectural practice, blending engineering precision with people-centred design, with sustainability and collaboration to the fore. Kim Neville reports. AtkinsRéalis’ journey began with an unorthodox move, establishing an architecture arm within what was formerly... View Article

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025

Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else in the world. It’s no surprise, then, that Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) has become a globally recognised platform for the design community to come together... View Article

Union City Blu

The new Radisson Blu hotel in the heart of Sheffield is a union of old and new, with HLM restoring and retaining a Victorian facade plus adding a major volume and maximising views over the adjacent public realm. James Parker... View Article

Winds of change for testing

Lisa Stephens of ROCKWOOL UK gives an update on the latest developments in wind load testing to equip buildings for the more extreme winter storms we are seeing. Across the globe, extreme weather conditions are becoming more common, with heavy... View Article

Smart data for safer buildings

Naveed Mohammed of Inspectas Compliance looks at the critical need to make sure safety information flows from to property owners in projects, and says it’s nothing new. Having a competent, transparent and communicative project team has never been more necessary.... View Article

Safety on the dance floor

Steve Green of Harlequin Floors explores the critical role dance floors play in dancers’ safety and performance, highlighting the research behind creating optimal environments for longevity that support users. Professional dancers can spend hours working in a dance studio, it... View Article

Discovery mission

The Discovery Centre in Cambridge marks a new era for AstraZeneca, a remarkable research facility and headquarters by Herzog & de Meuron that combines boundary-pushing design and sustainability with collaboration. Roseanne Field reports. In the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical... View Article

Modular’s diverse benefits

Modular construction is redefining efficiency and quality in a range of sectors. Kasia Nowak of Wernick Buildings explains how it can produce sustainable and future-proof, as well as cost-effective buildings. Clients in the education, healthcare, and commercial sectors planning to... View Article