Beware the dark side

Johanna Elvidge from Marshalls explores new findings that reveal how users’ perceptions of safety in public spaces change depending on the time of day, and how specifiers need to take this into account During winter months, streets and public spaces... View Article

A clear-cut case for glass

While the uninterrupted aesthetics of glass balustrades make them undeniably appealing, there are several considerations to be aware of from a safety and installation viewpoint, as Simon Boocock of CRL explains Glass is a trending material for stairs and balustrades,... View Article

Heating that’s fit for the future

The radiator industry has responded to the challenge posed by lower temperature heating systems using renewable methods, as Chris Harvey from Stelrad Radiators explains The development of lower temperature heating systems, utilising renewable heating appliances – such as ground source... View Article

A fix for high performance

Paul Brown from Swifix looks at the development of new EWI solutions that avoid old timber methods and combine performance with aesthetic appeal The external wall insulation industry has accelerated in importance for architects, developers, contractors and consumers alike, and... View Article

Practice Profile: Benedetti Architects

Although only established in 2016, London-based Benedetti Architects already has a clutch of high-profile projects under its belt. ADF’s Tom Boddy speaks to the practice’s founder Renato Benedetti about the journey so far Renato Benedetti’s background is, he says, a... View Article

Back up to the surface in ‘23

A well-established part of the design calendar for nearly 20 years, the Surface Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre from 7-9 February to again showcase the best in materials innovation for specifiers The Surface Design Show provides the... View Article

Futurebuild: sustainable ideas & inspiration

Taking place from 7-9 March at London’s ExCeL, Futurebuild’s three day programme will educate and inform across the entire spectrum of sustainability issues “Reaching net zero by 2050 is no simple task and no one person or company has all... View Article

A virtually perfect balance

Anthony Day at IMA Architects explains how the practice is pioneering the emerging concept of the Digital Twin, and proving how it can enable architects to hit the balance between efficiency and sustainability on projects As architects, the art of... View Article

The timber-paved road to zero

Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association explores the vital importance of timber in construction on the path to net zero, but also the associated importance for specifiers of quality assurance and competency In recent decades timber has faced greater... View Article

The hot topic

With the UK breaking temperature records while homes become increasingly air tight, James Healey from the Institute of Acoustics looks at hitting the tricky balance between overheating and external noise This summer saw the hottest temperatures the UK has ever... View Article

A robust case for timber windows

Today’s timber windows are vastly improved on their predecessors, but a recent survey and round table found that specifiers’ misconceptions are still making them wary, says Tracy Pomfret of George Barnsdale Rishi Sunak’s U-turn on attending COP 27 came to... View Article

The embodiment of low carbon

Craig Edwards from WMS Underfloor Heating gives his views on why the latest embodied carbon data on heating systems shows that underfloor heating is the option to consider for specifiers pursuing low emissions The total carbon emissions from a building... View Article

Rising to the refurb challenge

Renovating older buildings requires a delicate balance of facilitating disability access while remaining sensitive to a building’s original character, says Sean O’Sullivan from The Platform Lift Company A visit to a local market town or high street provides stark evidence of... View Article

Ask the Architects: George Aboagye Williams & Priya Nahal

Newly-qualified architects George Aboagye Williams & Priya Nahal discuss what they enjoy about being at Perkins&Will, who recently merged with Penoyre & Prasad and have invested in a programme to foster young talent within the practice What made you want... View Article

Back to the Futurebuild – on the path to net zero

Futurebuild is doubling down on its sustainability goals with a promise to bring inspiring ideas on how the industry can reach net zero, with “innovative solutions and knowledge sharing” at London’s ExCel on March 7-9 Now in its 17th year,... View Article

Built to last

London Build will return to Olympia London’s Grand Hall from 16–17 November with “more content, networking and entertainment than ever before” This year London Build will welcome over 35,000 visitors, 350 exhibitors and 500 speakers from contractors, developers, architects, specifiers,... View Article

Winning at the panel game

With the market for wall panels growing, Lidia Cetrangolo at Multipanel explains how they are becoming the preferred option for architects in bathrooms Wall panels have been around for decades, and have traditionally been used as an alternative to bathroom... View Article

Practice Profile: MorenoMasey

El Salvador-born Rodrigo Moreno Masey saw an opportunity to set up his own London practice 12 years ago, and hasn’t looked back. He tells ADF’s Laura Shadwell why keeping it simple is the key to success MorenoMasey was created on... View Article

View Point: Professor James Glockling

Professor James Glockling of the Fire Protection Association and RISCAuthority looks at the insurance challenges that must be tackled for mass timber to remain viable for architects as a specification option An inevitable consequence of the net zero 2050 ambition... View Article