Sounding out the benefits

Ed Peltor of Rockwool UK says that considerations of the benefits of insulation go well beyond thermal performance to acoustics and fire, when looking the whole building envelope It’s time to look for more from insulation than just thermal performance.... View Article

Making a solid decision

Andy Noble of CD (UK) looks at why architects should consider staying ahead of the curve by specifying solid surface facades for a highly contemporary look How do you create a contemporary and yet timelessly effective facade? From a wave-like... View Article

On a learning curve

With the new V&A museum plus a regenerated waterfront, Dundee was in dire need of a new station with the right presence. James Parker describes how the architects steered an evolving project that produced an unconventional concourse building topped by... View Article

Composite cladding solutions

Dr Amin Emami from 3A Composites looks at why aluminium composite materials are popular with architects for rainscreen cladding, and at the robustness of testing regimes in the UK post-Grenfell Aluminium composite panels (ACP) or alternatively aluminium composite material (ACM),... View Article

Where past and future meet

Combining old and new in a unique composition created from two dramatically reimagined Victorian roofs, Heatherwick Studio’s Coal Drops Yard retail scheme forms the heart of the King’s Cross regeneration. Roseanne Field reports Formerly a gritty part of London, King’s... View Article

A celebration of sustainability excellence

Previewing the annual BREEAM Awards, an international celebration of excellence in sustainable buildings, which will take place on 4 March in London The project teams, clients and buildings shortlisted for the annual BREEAM Awards represent significant achievement in sustainable building design,... View Article

Futurebuild 2019: addressing architects’ challenges

Futurebuild, the new name for Ecobuild, remains the leading event for architects and specifiers to meet and learn, be inspired, and do business, adding new features for 2019 Futurebuild 2019 (formerly Ecobuild) will focus on exploring and tackling the biggest challenges... View Article

View Point – David de Sousa of AHR Architects

Britain is in the midst of a housing crisis; it’s an obvious fact, without an obvious solution. In the 2017 budget, the Government set a target of delivering 300,000 new homes per year by 2020. While there has been an... View Article

Blue sky thinking on resilience

Mark Harris of Radmat Building Products explains why the UK needs to increase the uptake of blue roofs and make a major contribution to flood risk alleviation There is no quick fix for flood risks. Sustainable drainage strategies contribute to... View Article

Holistic design takes centre stage

Following on from a raft of recent research that makes a clear connection between the built environment and health and wellbeing, David Cook of Vent-Axia discusses the new Government White Paper on the crucial effect of building design Health and... View Article

Versatility meets sustainability

Clean, classic, green, award-winning – what’s not to like about insulated render? Aliva UK’s Justin Price explains why it ticks all the boxes when it comes to modern facade design Given that more than a third of the heat in... View Article

Mainstreaming modular

Richard Hyams of astudio describes how architects can use modular offsite construction to deliver good quality housing schemes with rich community benefits The adoption of modular construction techniques is rapidly accelerating in the UK. Policymakers have realised the benefits of... View Article

Why UFH is still a hot topic

The UK’s underfloor heating (UFH) market continues to warm up – Nigel Sanger of JG Speedfit explores what architects and specifiers need to consider when specifying UFH systems UFH is no longer just the prerogative of the wealthy. Its increasing... View Article

Pocketing space efficiencies

Stephanie Lee of P C Henderson takes a look at how increasingly space-constrained builds are driving the trend in pocket doors, and discusses their key benefits and what to look for when specifying such systems As the number of first... View Article

Don’t compromise on commercial glazing

Jeff Pearson of Jack Aluminium Systems discusses the importance of considering energy efficiency, security and safety when specifying glazing systems – and why it’s so important not to compromise Compromise can be a wonderful thing. It’s great for building working... View Article

Uplifting research

Nick Mellor of the Lift & Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) advises on the latest standards on lift safety, and looks at some of the developments driving innovative solutions in the market There have been many changes in the legislative background... View Article

Practice Profile: Sarah Wigglesworth Architects

James Parker spoke to Sarah Wigglesworth about life running a successful practice from a pioneering, sustainable HQ which comprises two conjoined buildings – her office and her own home – and is an embodiment of her ethical approach Sarah Wigglesworth... View Article

Not just hot air

ADF reports on how the roofing industry is joining forces to tackle the fire risks posed by gas torch roofing installation methods, with hot air being one alternative Gas torches are a popular tool among roofing professionals for installing bitumen... View Article

Ask the Architect: FaulknerBrowns Architects

Lee McLaughlin, partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, answers ADF’s questions on what makes him tick, design approaches, and current and future issues What has been the most satisfying project you worked on? Our Hebburn Central project was particularly pleasing in many... View Article