Features Articles

Manuela Fazzan at wienerberger UK explores why adaptable as well as durable housing design is essential for future resilience in the housing sector, as demands evolve. Current housing specifications are often driven by immediate compliance targets, but the future of... View Article

Darren Hyde at the Automatic Door Suppliers Association says architects can balance architectural vision with the competing demands of safety, security and accessibility when designing modern building entrances. Entrances are among the most defining elements of architecture. They frame the... View Article

Washrooms are a significant source of water waste; early design decisions can determine how buildings perform for decades, so specifications must tackle both usage and leakage to reduce consumption. Richard Braid at Cistermiser explains. Energy performance has long dominated design... View Article

Louise McHugh at Breathing Buildings puts the case for hybrid natural/mechanical ventilation to balance air quality and energy efficiency, to support school learning. The publication of updated Government guidance in February 2026 has reinforced the importance of ventilation in education... View Article

Jon Whittingham at T-T Pumps explores how below-ground drainage and pumping strategies need to influence early architectural decisions, particularly where adoptable and package systems are required to manage site constraints, flood risk, and complex water movement on constrained urban sites.... View Article

Flooring in education must balance safety, durability and acoustics over time. Melissa Heath from leading manufacturer Amtico explores why long-term performance needs to be more effectively considered during specification. Education environments are among the most demanding interior settings. From primary... View Article

Kate Jones of Ahmarra outlines the key pointers for safe specification of fire doors for education settings – balancing life safety, compliance and performance with the practical demands of busy learning environments. Specifying fire doors can be one of the... View Article

Rob Firman at Polyfoam XPS looks at new recommendations for inverted roof buildups under the revised British Standard, and reflects on how specifiers’ decisions on roofing systems have ramifications through a building’s life. The revised code of practice BS 6229:2025... View Article

Richard Brown at Ideal Commercial Heating explores key pointers for specifiers looking to transition projects from gas boilers to heat pumps. The electrification of heat is now firmly embedded in the future of the UK’s built environment. Yet successful deployment... View Article

The industry has focused on the speed and sustainability credentials of building with timber, but some of its most compelling advantages are commercial, as Paul Newman at the Structural Timber Association explains. The Government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million new... View Article

Ashley Cooper at WMS Underfloor Heating explains why the provision of heating is not just a technical decision, but a design choice that shapes how a home feels. When we think about home heating, the conversation often centres on performance... View Article

Graham Mears at Stannah Lifts explains the different types of lift solutions designed for improving accessibility, and advises on the best options for a variety of scenarios. Passenger lifts are the most common type of lift found in residential and... View Article