Ask the Architect: Melanie Jacobsen Cox

LISTEN HERE 🔊 The new head of healthcare at HLM, Melanie Jacobsen Cox, answers ADF’s questions on what makes her tick What made you want to become an architect? I have construction in my blood through my grandfather and dad,... View Article

Riding high

LISTEN HERE 🔊 A world-class multi-storey skate park has been constructed in Folkestone, Kent, a novel concrete form also designed to attract climbers and boxers, and which has quickly become a popular local landmark. Jack Wooler reports F51 is a... View Article

World-first architectural glass produced using biofuel

  Phil Brown, European regulatory marketing manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, discusses how new milestones in sustainable manufacturing are creating more opportunities for architects to specify lower carbon materials to reduce the embodied carbon... View Article

Dawn of the STEAM age

A groundbreaking further education building in Bridgend, south Wales, integrates ‘art’ into the established STEM typology to make STEAM. It also combines a range of open workshop spaces alongside traditional classrooms, as James Parker discovered The concept of bringing together... View Article

Communicating efficiencies

Jon Tedstone from ESi Controls explores how architects can use choose modern heating controls and communication networks to precisely meet individual project requirements and maximise energy efficiency An architect selecting a new boiler for a new home or development needs... View Article

Framing the MMC challenge

David Atkinson at Metsec explores why harnessing digitalisation and lightweight steel framing can maximise the benefits of MMC as the industry pursues its various goals The UK construction industry faces a challenge to improve the availability, quality and affordability of... View Article

The rise of the agile office

Alistair Shove from IVC Commercial looks at the rise in ‘agile’-based offices, and how architects can respond to the needs of users with flooring that embraces ‘open design’ post-pandemic One of the lasting impacts of the pandemic on the design... View Article

Good vibrations

With the average person spending an estimated 90% of their time indoors, Sarah Cartwright from Polypipe Building Services says the need to ensure occupier acoustic comfort and noise reduction is now a key priority An article published by the BBC... View Article

Reclaiming bespoke’s role

Sourcing bricks and roof tiles for period renovations are a challenge for architects looking to balance aesthetic appeal, regulatory compliance, and heritage requirements. Nigel Dyer of Wienerberger proposes an alternative to reclaimed products External brickwork and roof tiles are critical... View Article

Inspiration returns

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) is returning after a two-year break from 24-26 May, taking over London’s creative hub with promises to be the ‘biggest and boldest’ yet Since it made its debut in 2009, CDW has become... View Article

Practice Profile: THISS Architects

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Looking to carve out a niche as a new practice, THISS Architects focus on craftsmanship, collaboration, and landscape with a goal of ensuring that no two projects are ever the same. The firm’s founders explain their working... View Article

Commercial flooring specification FAQs

The demand for larger warehouses has increased dramatically in the last few years with a 32% rise in the number of warehousing units since 2015. With the growth of online sales, warehousing now accounts for around two-thirds of all industrial... View Article

Food for thought

Recent research into how people use kitchens shows that designs can ensure schemes play a vital role in improving the homeowners’ wellbeing, says Natalie Davenport from Häfele UK While traditionall kitchens have been relatively small spaces added onto a home... View Article

LEEDing on low impact

LEED is a new rival to BREEAM in evaluating the sustainability of industrial, office, hotel and residential buildings. Wojciech Brożyna from Aluprof UK discusses its benefits, and ways to meet the standard LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is... View Article

Raising the bar for external spaces

Caroline Birdsall from Millboard describes the recent trends in including decking for outdoor areas, from entertainment to increasingly al fresco bars and dining in domestic and hospitality settings, post-pandemic An overriding trend we have all seen in recent times is... View Article

Safety rises to the top

Representing the biggest improvements to building safety in nearly 40 years, the Building Safety Act will have far-reaching implications. Nick Mellor at LEIA explains what it means for design of evacuation lifts for all users In the wake of Grenfell,... View Article

Commercial considerations

Anil Madan of Ideal Standard details the top factors that architects need to consider when designing and creating commercial washrooms Commercial washroom design is often a tricky balance due to the many factors you need to weigh up with what... View Article

Building cultural change in London

UK Construction Week (UKCW) comes to London on 3-5 May at ExCel, with the promises of a major face to face event for the construction industry for 25,000 expected visitors The organisers have developed a key focus for UKCW London... View Article

Ask the Architect: Liz Leber

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Liz Leber, managing partner of New York practice Beyer Blinder Belle, drives her firm to work with clients who have a clear “mission”, but also strives to extract their core project objectives. She explains the “creativity, pragmatism,... View Article