Meshing with design goals

Bringing bespoke creativity to life in applications from cladding, ceilings and roofs, to staircases and balustrades, metal mesh is being used to push design boundaries safely and sustainably. Anthony Millington of Amron Architectural explains further Architects and designers are always... View Article

Wood you believe it?

Richard Besant of Powdertech Corby on how developments in wood finish powder coatings on aluminium are providing a popular and realistic alternative to wood, as materials shortages increase We have witnessed the increased use of architectural powder coatings to a... View Article

Renewing social connections

The light-touch refurbishment of a brutalist city centre bus station in the Czech Republic belies the extent of a young Czech practice’s achievement, catalysing the transformation of a local eyesore into a building of renewed social value. James Parker reports... View Article

Safety in numbers

Dave Walker of Distinction Doors explores how early engagement between architects and product manufacturers will be key to helping the industry design and construct safer buildings, post-Grenfell When speaking with architects and other product manufacturers, one point which comes up... View Article

A copper-bottomed sustainability case

As well as wide applications in contemporary architectural design, there is more to copper than meets the eye when it comes to recyclability, sustainability and longevity, explains Graeme Bell of Aurubis Copper is a natural element found within the earth’s... View Article

Sealing concrete’s interior future

Architects and designers are broadening their concrete horizons – firmly cementing the time-honoured material’s place in ‘softer’ interior applications. Craig Bell from Osmo provides advice on maintaining its durability Trends in interior design change constantly, and it can be hard... View Article

Fire safety in the frame

David Atkinson from Metsec discusses the increased focus on through-wall fire testing post-Grenfell, and how steel framing systems can contribute to improved performance as well as thermal efficiency Light gauge galvanised steel framing systems (SFS) are primarily used for wall... View Article

Taking fencing to the next level

John Abernethie of Birkdale looks at how fencing has evolved beyond a functional element to help architects provide increasingly in-demand, attractive outdoor spaces for clients Outdoor areas are becoming more important for both residential and commercial projects. The health and... View Article

Rolling out offsite benefits

Marian Kubisz of Adept Consulting (UK) looks at the increased specification of cold rolled steel frames in the current push for offsite construction solutions, and why system design considerations need to be brought into projects at the earliest stage Hot... View Article

A 1970s revival

A controversial 1970s building in the historic heart of Cheltenham has been transformed by AWW Architects to provide a contemporary mixed-use commercial development. Neil Smith from AluK reports Once a 1970s landmark in the centre of Cheltenham, but later becoming... View Article

Diamond life

Newfoundland, the first residential project in Canary Wharf – and London’s tallest build to rent scheme ­­– has been completed, and it’s an architectural landmark in its own right. Lead architect Billie Lee spoke to Jack Wooler about its distinctive... View Article

Performance through time

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc looks back at how changes in technology have improved the manufacture of zinc over the decades to enable greater versatility and durability in today’s projects The first zinc roof was installed on St Bartholomew’s Church in Liege,... View Article

View Point: Hywel Davies of CIBSE

LISTEN HERE 🔊 With Covid-19 sadly not likely to disappear any time soon, achieving the correct ventilation of workplaces is critical to mitigate the spread in future. Hywel Davies of CIBSE discusses the issues for designers Covid-19 is not going... View Article

Practice Profile: Broadway Malyan

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Tom Boddy speaks to Broadway Malyan about their journey to becoming a global architectural firm, and how the practice philosophy has evolved to increasingly embrace “holistic building design” It was in 1958 in Weybridge, Surrey that Cyril... View Article

New wine in old bottles

LISTEN HERE 🔊 A historic soft drink bottling facility in a formerly run-down part of south east London has been stripped and restored by Studio RHE, bringing its attributes to the fore as a lively commercial and events space. Roseanne... View Article

Slated for natural versatility

LISTEN HERE 🔊 David Cooke from Cupa Pizarras discusses the versatility of natural slate when it comes to aesthetics, and the resulting design freedom it offers architects, giving recent examples In an age where the environmental impact of our actions... View Article

It’s time to buy British

A wide range of imported timber products are now hard to come by thanks to various supply issues, but the solution is close at hand, says Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber Various timber products, including roof battens, structural timber and... View Article

Catch up on two years of innovation

UK Construction Week is back after a long two-year wait, to showcase innovation and knowledge on 5-7 October at the NEC in Birmingham The pace of digital transformation and innovation in architecture and the built environment has undoubtedly accelerated over... View Article

Exposing the issues

With exposing services continuing to grow in popularity in building designs, there’s an increasing focus on how to meet acoustic as well as lighting needs for workspaces, as Mike Attard of RIDI Lighting Group explains The movement towards the removal... View Article