Shaping the future

The Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) explains how architects can employ high performance PIR insulation as the key to design homes that are not only low carbon and climate resilient, but which are of high quality. The UK housing stock accounts... View Article

The case for designing in structural timber

Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association (STA) takes a look at the variety of factors behind a ‘clear direction of travel’ towards designing with timber. Within the context of net zero, decarbonising building stock has become an imperative, both... View Article

From 19th century roofs to 21st century facades

Jonathan Lowy of VM Zinc traces the architectural history of zinc, from its European origins to a modern role in durable, sustainable building envelopes. In 1811, a roofer in Liège tried something radical; he installed the world’s first rolled zinc... View Article

New power generation

The transformation of one of the UK’s first electricity power stations into a vibrant youth centre combines a respect for industrial heritage with a high voltage interior that’s designed to excite its teenage users. Stephen Cousins reports. Youngsters are of... View Article

Light, air & efficiency

Richard Williams of Velux explains why windows are fundamental to the balancing act architects need to perform in order to design the right building fabric. Windows and doors are not simply part of a building’s envelope; they shape how spaces... View Article

The case for bespoke flat roofs

With ensuring effective drainage and insulation being essential for all flat roof projects, Matthew Evans of Kingspan Insulation explores how tapered systems can be used to meet both requirements, and adhere to designs. As we head towards the winter months,... View Article

Evolution for the perfect pitch

Gareth Wright of Manthorpe explores how updates to British Standards supporting the use of dry fix solutions are driving innovation in pitched roofing across the UK. It is no exaggeration to say there has been a significant evolution in pitched... View Article

Permission to criticise

Permitted Development Rights have fast-tracked housing delivery, but often at the expense of thermal comfort and occupant wellbeing, says Andrew Nash from Nuaire, who warns that reforms and ventilation innovation are urgently needed. Permitted Development Rights (PDR) emerged as a... View Article

Practice Profile: Bennetts Associates

Kim Neville speaks with Rob Bearyman of Bennetts Associates about how the now employee-owned practice has over its three decades combined resilience, collaboration and pioneering sustainable design. Bennetts Associates has built its reputation over more than three decades on conviction,... View Article

A new era for verification & certification

Mike Vaczi of SOPREMA discusses how recent legislative changes are fundamentally altering the construction industry’s approach to product verification and certification. The construction industry stands at a turning point in regards to building safety and product verification. Recent years have... View Article

London Build’s 10th birthday

19-20 November  London Build Expo London Build is taking over Olympia’s Grand and National Halls on 19 and 20 November, celebrating 10 years of connecting the construction industry. To mark the milestone, this year’s event will offer more content, networking,... View Article
View Point: Rabia Charef and Frantz Gault

View Point: Rabia Charef and Frantz Gault

Rabia Charef of Lancaster University, and sociologist and author Frantz Gault, invite designers to rethink how we build – and shift from a human-centred mindset to one where nature is a partner, not just a resource. What if architects and... View Article

elementalLONDON debuts!

19-20 November. Excel London ElementalLONDON is a new event coming to London’s Excel on 19-20 November 2025. This new exhibition  for London is focused on the twin aims of advancing building efficiency and decarbonisation. The 4,000 attendees expected at elementalLONDON encompass... View Article

The point of WCs in BREEAM

David Davis of MEP engineer G&H says that with BREEAM remaining a well-used method for assessing sustainability goals, choosing the right product choices for earning points needs to be a prority, and why toilets are a key component. Achieving higher... View Article

Why modern wood burning stoves belong in Future Homes

Erica Malkin of the Stove Industry Association explains why modern wood burning stoves offer architects a low carbon, resilient secondary heat source for sustainable home design, and one which is now backed by policy. As the UK moves toward net... View Article

An education in colour

It is well known that colour can have a profound impact on building occupants; Dawn Scott at Dulux Trade explains how in educational environments, it can be used to enhance learning and wellbeing for students. Across the built environment, colour... View Article

The embodiment of quality?

Reyan Clarey of CA Group discusses the challenge facing the industry of balancing embodied carbon targets against design quality in the race to net zero. Decision makers are looking for a simple metric by which to measure products’ sustainability credentials.... View Article

Reporting on the future

Dorothe Kessels and Thomas Eurlings of Forbo Flooring Systems discuss how trend reports are helping to shape the future of design, helping architects create spaces that meet modern expectations and inspire creativity. Trends are a crucial part of the architectural... View Article

High performance

GT3 Architects’ new Passivhaus leisure centre in Staines has set a new bar for larger leisure projects in terms of both community engagement and building performance. Roseanne Field reports. A leisure centre built in the Surrey town of Staines has... View Article

Framing nature: fenestration design for comfort & compliance

Andrew Cooper of Senior Architectural Systems says architects can embrace principles of biophilic design and wellness, while keeping regulation compliance clearly in view. As well as being functional, fenestration systems can help create truly inspirational interiors where inclusivity, wellbeing, and... View Article