Colour safe

Ian Gisbourne of Dulux Trade discusses how colour can be employed to help keep students safer in all education settings, in a post-Covid world This past year has been like no other in the education sector. Many students spent long... View Article

Innovative school design isn’t the enemy of fire safety

Keith MacGillivray of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association looks at the debate around whether automatic fire sprinklers are in conflict with innovative school design What could be more beneficial to the design of a school than the inclusion of... View Article

Learning to live with change

Rob Charlton of Space Architects discusses his practice’s ethos of delivering buildings that improve people’s lives in the context of education, and the changes the sector has undergone recently Having been in practice for almost 30 years, I have spent... View Article

School spec: covered!

Vicky Evans of Twinfix discusses how bespoke canopies and covered areas can create a style to suit each education site and location, giving specifiers the ability to offer schools something unique, but familiar Canopies and covered areas are an attractive... View Article

Ensure you make the right moves on the dance floor

The approach needed when creating a floor for a specialised use is often more ‘bespoke’ than it may seem. Steve Green of Harlequin Floors explains how dance floors differ from standard sports floors, and how correct design is critical for... View Article

Louvres make the grade

In the education sector, getting ventilation right and ensuring a healthy and comfortable environment has never been more important. Andy Moul of Construction Specialties looks at key factors which need to be taken into consideration when specifying external louvres as... View Article

The safe bet for decking

William Hogg of Ecodek discusses the options for blending safety standards and sustainability with striking design when it comes to aluminium decking The specification of non-combustible building materials in the design of high-rise buildings has never been such a prevalent... View Article

Practice Profile: Stride Treglown

Pierre Wassenaar from the top 10 UK practice speaks to Tom Boddy about how the firm’s social value ethos has sustained since its inception, and has led to it achieving a demanding business standard for inclusivity and sustainability Since its... View Article

Opening the door to better hygiene

In healthcare environments, infection control is of course a critical concern. Tim Checketts of dormakaba discusses the door and access control solutions that can help to minimise the spread of germs and bacteria The design of healthcare buildings must balance... View Article

Rethinking rainwater harvesting for SuDS

Mark Manning of SDS discusses rainwater reuse in the context of SuDS regulations, and says that architects could be mistakenly rejecting such approaches as an important option for sustainable drainage Whenever an architect receives a design commission that includes sustainable... View Article

Get it right on the tiles

If you are looking to specify a tiled floor, it is crucial to understand what preparation is required to ensure that new or existing floor substrates are suitable. Stuart Ross of BAL looks at the different likely substrates, and the... View Article

View Point: Richard Hill of Arup

Despite the technical challenges, designers have an obligation to explore the potential to conserve and reuse heritage structures, says Richard Hill of Arup While there is an inherent desire in our industry to build new and start afresh, it is... View Article

How modern masonry works with modern methods

Scott Denham from IG Masonry Support looks at how offsite solutions are delivering the architectural masonry details specifiers want, ensuring quality alongside a safer and faster way to create masonry facades Brick has long been the specifier’s choice when it... View Article

The Passivhaus balancing act

Iain Fairnington of the A. Proctor Group highlights some of the key technical factors relating to performance in Passivhaus design, and best practice for managing the balance of movement of heat, air and moisture within the building envelope Since time... View Article

Digital bathrooms

Tom Farrant of Lecico Bathrooms looks at how the ongoing pandemic has accelerated changes in the industry’s working patterns, including the move to a greater acceptance of 3D BIM, and how this has improved bathroom specification Digital transformation continues to change... View Article

Making an impact on noise

Recent research links unwanted noise levels with a heightened risk of mental and physical health problems. Karen Wilding of Forbo Flooring Systems says this shows that architects must adopt tools and materials that mitigate these effects Without effective management, unwanted... View Article

Finding the perfect blend

Co-located developments, an emerging trend, could help solve industry challenges by satisfying demand for both industrial and residential developments at a stroke. Peter Watkins of HDR | Bradbrook Consulting looks at the inherent design challenges A co-location can best be... View Article

A generational challenge

Paul Smith of F.H. Brundle explains how the Government’s changes to Part M of the Building Regulations could meet the challenge posed by Britain’s ageing population Between September and December 2020, the Government held a consultation on how they could... View Article

Pushing the envelope

John Nolan of Generix Facades looks at the importance of a robust approach to testing the structural integrity and capability of facade systems Having a solid understanding of how a facade system will perform prior to construction is crucial for... View Article