Features Articles

Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of the Structural Timber Association, explains how building in timber can create a high performance building envelope. Over the past year, both the British economy and the construction sector as a whole have turned a corner,... View Article

The results of an ecological comparison of facade renovation systems are revealed by Ian Anderson, managing director at rainscreen cladding manufacturer Steni UK. The growing popularity in the UK of dry-trade construction methods has led to a plethora of rainscreen... View Article

Ian Quinton, managing director of RCM – suppliers of building boards and facade solutions to some of the UK’s most prestigious developments – outlines the key criteria to consider when specifying building boards and cladding solutions. In order to select... View Article

Roving reporter, Michael Willoughby, talks to experts who provide hints and tips on maximising quality in the envelope. It’s been a year since the Education Funding Agency (EFA) Large Contractor Framework was launched, and 18 months since ground-breaking took place... View Article

Jean-Marc Bouvier, UK technical manager for Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) manufacturer NUDURA, talks about how this proven building envelope technology offers a fast-track, economical and sustainable solution that’s built to last. Building with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) is a proven... View Article

Ray Horwood CBE, chief executive of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, discusses the impact of revisions to BS 5534 and the GRO code. Given the pivotal role that architects and specifiers play in the design and specification of the... View Article

When specifying solar control, not just any curtain walling bracket will do if the thermal performance of the building facade is not to be compromised, says solar shading and screening solutions provider Levolux. While glass continues to be the predominant... View Article

The use of external wall insulation (EWI) is now commonplace for new buildings and for the refurbishment of existing buildings, both residential and non-residential. By providing the insulation layer to the outside face of the primary structure the building designer... View Article

Kevin Jones, business manager of Aperam Stainless Steel Service UK Ltd, explains why stainless steel is a cost-effective building envelope material and how new surface finishes and coloured grades are widening its aesthetic appeal. The increasing emphasis of design life... View Article

‘Passivhaus’ is a standard for insulating buildings to such high levels that energy bills fall to a fraction of their normal cost. A development in North London is among trailblazers for this technique in the social sector. Mark Smulian reports.... View Article

Leslie Jones Architecture is on-site delivering Friars Walk, which will form a major part of the ongoing transformation of Newport City Centre and the surrounding area, representing a £250 million investment into Newport. Brian Tracey, director of the firm, outlines... View Article

Mary Dhonau, chairman of the Property Care Association’s Flood Protection Group, explains the two main types of mitigation measure available for properties at risk of floodwater ingress. Five million people live with the threat of being flooded from rivers and... View Article

Andrew Royle, UK commercial director at P C Henderson looks at the growing trend of folding-sliding doors (FSDs) and what factors to consider when specifying these. When considering exterior doors and extensions, the use of sliding hardware for timber framed... View Article

Karl Myhill, consultant at Woods Hardwick and the build constructor Parkway Construction MK explain what factors were implemented in the construction of the final two office buildings they designed as part of the Knowlhill development in Milton Keynes. According to... View Article

There are many parts of a building that really emphasise what an establishment is all about. Experts at Amwell offer their advice on how to specify quality washrooms that say the right thing about your building and the company based... View Article

We’ve all been to restaurants or events where the acoustics are so poor that you need to raise your voice in order to be heard. To make matters worse, when everybody else in the room is doing the same, the... View Article