A new hope

A pioneering cancer treatment centre in Manchester saw international architects HKS harnessing high-tech methods for attacking tumours using proton beams, while providing a human-centred facility. James Parker reports Proton beam therapy is an advanced and highly precise form of radiotherapy... View Article

Ask the Architect: Margherita Cesca

Margherita Cesca of Saunders Boston Architects answers ADF’s questions on what drives her personally and professionally Why did you become an architect? Art and architecture have always been a big part of my life; from a very young age, I... View Article

Offsite Expo – the catalyst for change

The first ever Offsite Expo will bring together the sector’s most influential organisations, individuals, commentators and business leaders who are driving the offsite agenda forward, at Ricoh Arena, Coventry in September From ‘Rethinking Construction’ published in 1998 to the acclaimed... View Article

Forest canopy

Inspired by the ‘Bamboo Forest’ of a nearby national park, the Wuxi Taihu Show Theatre near Shanghai marks the entrance to a huge new tourist attraction in its city. Roseanne Field reports The city of Wuxi sits on the banks... View Article

West End wellness

The Crown Estate’s first coworking venture, off London’s Regent Street, offers a nurturing environment for small businesses in a refurbished building which is also the first Well-accredited project of its kind. James Parker reports A new coworking space completed in... View Article

Protect and survive

Sally Osmond of Frontier Pitts discusses the importance of impact testing for product solutions for defence against vehicle-borne attacks, and looks at relevant regulations In the UK, and indeed the rest of the world, the current terrorism threat is constantly... View Article

The aesthetics of channel drainage for homes

External channel drainage systems can often be an overlooked factor in many projects, says William Poynter of ACO Water Management, explaining why architects should consider the aesthetic benefits of different options while addressing practical challenges The significance of drainage systems... View Article

Bespoke roof window solutions

Samantha Smith of Fakro GB discusses the ‘unrivalled’ choice that is now available across the UK roof window market Is the very way we are designing and building sustainable housing changing? Many of us spend around 90 per cent of... View Article

Technology benefits for all

Challenges can arise when specifying tailor made external door access solutions that suit a wide range of users. John Hardman of dormakaba reviews the solutions available, and how technology can help specifiers identify the right option Access control solutions have... View Article

Practice Profile: Shepheard Epstein Hunter

Shepheard Epstein Hunter may have garnered a strong reputation in its long history, from an initial focus on high quality public housing, but the practice hasn’t been resting on its laurels. James Parker spoke to two of its directors Evolving,... View Article

Climb every mountain

Challenged by steep topography, unspoilt alpine surroundings, and a devastating fire after its initial construction, the creation of a community sports and activity hall brought architect, client and locals together in the Swiss village of Le Vaud. Sébastien Reed speaks... View Article

All hands on deck

The UK’s official agency for shipping and Royal Navy data has a new headquarters in Somerset, designed to push collaboration to the fore, in an open and fluid structure enhanced by timber throughout. Jack Wooler reports on how the AHR-designed... View Article

Looking past the uncertainty

Gavin Knowles of Howarth Timber & Building Supplies on why scrutiny needs to be applied to ensure correct product specification, which is also being applied to the industry The construction sector is the second largest consumer of plastics behind retail,... View Article

Is your timber specification fit for purpose?

Janet Sycamore of the Timber Decking and Cladding Association discusses why and how the details of timber protection needs to be embraced to ensure specifications are always fit for purpose Knowledge of fire protection terminology in the design and build... View Article

Modification, innovation and sustainability

Dr Andy Pitman of Lignia Wood Company discusses how the UK timber industry is embracing change and innovating – for the benefit of the environment and the customer All over the world we are surrounded by wooden structures of all... View Article

Assured solutions in a crisis

Andrew Carpenter of the Structural Timber Association says that the timber solutions already exist for building the energy-efficient low-carbon dwellings the Government is calling for to address the housing crisis, now underpinned by robust assurances Offsite construction presents many new... View Article

Growing opportunities for specifying timber

Kevin Underwood of the British Woodworking Federation discusses the challenges as well as wide-ranging benefits of using wood as a construction material Wood, the world’s oldest and most traditional building material, is increasingly being re-evaluated as a modern-day first choice... View Article

Practice Profile: Maber Architects

After recently turning 35, well-established practice Maber decided to reinvent and ‘reboot’ itself, James Parker spoke to managing director Ian Harris to find out why Maber Architects was founded by keen cricketer Colin Maber in Nottingham in 1983, and as... View Article

The power to choose

An award-winning Passivhaus Plus in Buckinghamshire is being hailed as a game-changer in terms of showing how smart homes can function as green ‘power stations.’ Sarah Kassam of CIBSE explains the design behind the project The winner of the residential... View Article

Opening the door to enhanced efficiency and aesthetics

Aesthetics, longevity and security are all key areas to consider when specifying entrance doors, but with continued increases in energy costs, the role of thermal efficiency is taking precedence in the design process, reports David O’Mara of Hörmann UK Entrance... View Article