Pumping up radiators’ profile

Chris Harvey of Stelrad Radiator Group examines the relationship between radiators and heat pumps, and how they might be able to work effectively together in future The recent announcement from the Government of a £5,000 grant available from April 2022... View Article

Rendering life-long success

Matthew Allen of Sika discusses the key considerations when specifying render to ensure that a long life, as well aesthetically pleasing, result is achieved A building’s external surface is integral to its overall design success. For many, deciding on the... View Article

Minimising fire risk on the ‘fifth facade’

Will Wigfield from Rockwool shares best practice advice on how to limit fire risk in flat roof constructions, and explains the limitations of current testing protocols for flat roof insulation While flat roofs have long been used to house plant... View Article

Steps to balancing safety and aesthetics

Kevin Underwood at the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) looks at how to balance the important twin drivers of aesthetics and safety in staircase design It’s no surprise that aesthetic considerations are often the key driver behind staircase selection. The BWF’s... View Article

View Point: Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown

LISTEN HERE 🔊 In the first of two articles, architect and partner at Hawkins\Brown Nigel Ostime looks at how Pre-Construction Services Agreements (PCSAs) can better engage contractors to tackle issues early on, and offers advice on what to tell clients... View Article

Practice Profile: Lead8

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Multidisciplinary practice Lead8 has ascended quickly to global status since founding in 2014, picking up numerous accolades along the way. ADF’s Tom Boddy speaks to co-founders Christine Hau and David Buffonge Despite being among the 100 top... View Article

Back to the surface in 2022!

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Following the cancellation of 2021’s entry, the Surface Design Show returns to the Business Design Centre in London from 8-10 February, exploring innovation The design industry will once again be able to meet in person and get updated on... View Article

Ventilation in hospitals: how to address the new guidance

by Roy Jones, Technical Director @ Gilberts Blackpool Creation, refurbishment and upgrading of healthcare facilities is facing interesting times. The Government has ramped up plans to build new hospitals and now announced additional funding  for operating theatres, to increase their... View Article

Water savings in the balance

Richard Bateman at RWC UK looks at how thermal balancing valves help minimise water waste in larger buildings, as the pressure grows to save resources Wasting water is a particular problem in big buildings that use recirculating hot water systems... View Article

Traditional is the new modern

Tom Wright of George Barnsdale explores the use of timber in ‘minimalist’ designs “We must recognise the importance of timber in overcoming our climate challenge,” David Warburton wrote to his fellow MPs recently. On paper, politicians are making the right... View Article

Access best practice

Alastair Stannah from Lifts Distribution & Service (UK) discusses best practice specification for making public buildings fully accessible for all users Driving best practice for accessibility in commercial and public buildings are the legal framework; the Building Regulations, Part M... View Article

Test data in the frame

Steve Griffiths of Taylor Lane Timber Frame and the Structural Timber Association looks at the latest developments on fire test data in the timber frame industry, post-Grenfell For many years, the construction industry – not least the timber frame sector –... View Article

Passivhaus goes large

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Agar Grove is set to become the UK’s largest Passivhaus scheme, with its housing tenants already seeing the benefits from the first completed phase. James Woodward, architect at Hawkins\Brown, tells Roseanne Field why the practice decided to... View Article

Practice Profile: White Ink Architects

LISTEN HERE 🔊 James Parker spoke to a Belfast practice founded at the start of the 21st century, which expanded to specialise in “difficult” mixed use schemes, and is now the first in Northern Ireland to be completely employee owned... View Article

Opening a new volume in NYC

LISTEN HERE 🔊 A renovation project on 5th Avenue opens up a public library facility and resolves the functional anomalies of a former department store to provide high quality spaces for all users. James Parker reports on a fruitful collaboration... View Article

View Point: Rory Bergin from HTA Design

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Rory Bergin from HTA Design says that with timber under fire in the complex testing landscape post-Grenfell, specifiers are being wrongly deterred from choosing the material for taller buildings, while being asked for more sustainable designs Current... View Article

AGILE CABLE MANAGEMENT

  The way we use workspace is changing and so must the design of power supply in these environments says David O’Flynn, Regional Specification & Contractor Manager at Marshall-Tufflex. Here David explains how applying flexible cable management solutions can help... View Article

Sustainable Materials and Workplace Design

Andrew Sadler, Sales Director of CTD Architectural Tiles discusses the shift towards sustainability, whilst drawing on the benefits of using recycled content within commercial projects for designers, specifiers and architects.  There has been a noticeable shift over the past few... View Article

Bridging the gap in design

Improving the thermal performance of the building envelope is central to the drive for sustainability, energy efficiency and meeting the criteria for the impending Future Homes Standard. Simon Hill of Schöck considers the issues involved Critical to improving the thermal... View Article