The enduring appeal of metal ceilings

Here Peter Symons of Knauf AMF explores why metal ceilings are seeing a renaissance, encompassing robustness and efficiency as well as aesthetics The mainstream use of metal ceilings originated in the late 19th century when they were more commonly known... View Article

Sustainable and diverse: architectural copper

The last few decades have seen copper and its alloys grow in popularity as modern architectural materials, but the sustainability and performance characteristics of copper should also not be forgotten. Graeme Bell of Aurubis explains more Copper’s unique architectural qualities... View Article

An internal monologue on copper

Copper has seen a dramatic change in use from its historic place roofing prestigious buildings to being a thoroughly modern external skin for contemporary architecture. But its role as an interior surfacing material is also growing, presenting new opportunities and... View Article

Site Lines – Serving student wellbeing needs

Students in the 21st century face a wide range of health and wellbeing challenges as well as technological demands. James Allison of architects Bennetts Associates discusses an example of thoughtful improvement of student wellbeing facilities for Cambridge University In the... View Article

Wall-to-wall thinking

As part of meeting our commitments to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050, Chris Miles of Kingspan Facades looks at the options for specifiers when it comes to holistic approaches to maximising thermal efficiency in facades In June, the... View Article

The highest standard in Camden

Chris Wood of Lomax + Wood tells ADF how Lomax + Wood helped transform a Camden landmark in to a luxury London hotel Lomax + Wood were selected, from the UK’s finest timber window specialists, to design and produce a... View Article

Eco solutions for woodburning

Defra’s publication of the Clean Air Strategy earlier this year saw the Government making it clear that ‘Ecodesign’ woodburning stoves would be an integral part of the UK’s solution for air quality. Dennis Milligan of the British Flue & Chimney... View Article

A sporting advantage

Navjot Dhillon and Nick Egan of Gerflor discuss why specifying better quality flooring will give architects a key advantage in sports facilities A key function of sports flooring is to help protect players from injury, and enhance their athletic performance.... View Article

Waterproofing inverted roofs

Sarah Spink, CEO of the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) provides specification advice on waterproofing inverted roofs, which are increasingly popular The popularity of inverted roofs continues to grow with the construction of these systems offering many benefits. From... View Article

View Point: Camilla Siggaard Andersen of Arup

Camilla Siggaard Andersen of Arup explores how, regardless of the construction industry’s myriad motives, the worth of projects that architects and designers create is ultimately about their social value – how they shape peoples’ lives Why do we build? Depending... View Article

Where innovation, technology and leadership meet

Set to be the biggest event in its history, Healthcare Estates takes place in October at Manchester Central, with an expected 240+ exhibitors and over 4,500 attendees. This year the event has the themes of ‘Fund, Design, Build, Manage &... View Article

100% Design at 25

The major design event 100% Design brings a wide range of features to London this September for its 25th birthday celebrations, including ‘a sense of Finland’ This year marks the 25th anniversary of 100% Design, the UK’s leading design trade... View Article

A new hope

A pioneering cancer treatment centre in Manchester saw international architects HKS harnessing high-tech methods for attacking tumours using proton beams, while providing a human-centred facility. James Parker reports Proton beam therapy is an advanced and highly precise form of radiotherapy... View Article

Ask the Architect: Margherita Cesca

Margherita Cesca of Saunders Boston Architects answers ADF’s questions on what drives her personally and professionally Why did you become an architect? Art and architecture have always been a big part of my life; from a very young age, I... View Article

Forest canopy

Inspired by the ‘Bamboo Forest’ of a nearby national park, the Wuxi Taihu Show Theatre near Shanghai marks the entrance to a huge new tourist attraction in its city. Roseanne Field reports The city of Wuxi sits on the banks... View Article

Offsite Expo – the catalyst for change

The first ever Offsite Expo will bring together the sector’s most influential organisations, individuals, commentators and business leaders who are driving the offsite agenda forward, at Ricoh Arena, Coventry in September From ‘Rethinking Construction’ published in 1998 to the acclaimed... View Article

West End wellness

The Crown Estate’s first coworking venture, off London’s Regent Street, offers a nurturing environment for small businesses in a refurbished building which is also the first Well-accredited project of its kind. James Parker reports A new coworking space completed in... View Article

Protect and survive

Sally Osmond of Frontier Pitts discusses the importance of impact testing for product solutions for defence against vehicle-borne attacks, and looks at relevant regulations In the UK, and indeed the rest of the world, the current terrorism threat is constantly... View Article

The aesthetics of channel drainage for homes

External channel drainage systems can often be an overlooked factor in many projects, says William Poynter of ACO Water Management, explaining why architects should consider the aesthetic benefits of different options while addressing practical challenges The significance of drainage systems... View Article