What sustainability looks like

Peter Sotherton of Teknos GBI discusses the development of more sustainable exterior paints and coatings, and how they can help client organisations ensure they are acting responsibly when it comes to the environment Paints and finishes are an important part... View Article

The devil’s in the detailing

Alex Patrick-Smith of Ketley Brick discusses the performance considerations that need to be borne in mind when choosing increasingly popular textured brickwork facades Brick, which has of course been a major part of the British built environment for thousands of... View Article

Ask the Architect – Joe Morris

Joe Morris heads up his practice, but knows that collaboration is the way to good architecture. He answers ADF’s questions Why did you become an architect? My journey to architecture was relatively casual, without a clearly defined goal, but one... View Article

CDW celebrates turning 10

This year sees Clerkenwell Design Week celebrate its 10th edition, showcasing a host of the industry’s best in London’s key hub for design and architecture From new designs by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Established & Sons to Fritz Hansen’s... View Article

Vertical integration

Architype’s Eco Business Centre brings flexible shared workspace to eco-town North West Bicester, in what ended up being the UK’s first non-residential Passivhaus Plus accredited building. Sébastien Reed reports There are 6,000 new ‘true’ zero-carbon homes planned for North West... View Article

The big reveal

James Parker speaks to the architect of a complex restoration project in Manchester to create a boutique hotel which enhances industrial Victorian architecture, and celebrates the city’s trading history A new adaptive reuse project in Manchester has rescued three important... View Article

Building a cultural bridge

Jack Wooler spoke to Antti Nousjoki of ALA architects about how Finland’s biggest library combines an inviting ‘bridge’ structure with shifting timber and glass facades The new Oodi Library in Helsinki is a modern take on the building typology, offering... View Article

Floating an idea

Architectural glass specialist OAG gives an insight for designers into the possibilities, as well as practical implications, of ‘oversize’ glass float runs During the past two decades, feature glass entrances and double height ground and first floor facades have risen... View Article

Bringing light inside

Jade Cottee of IQ Glass Solutions discuss the different options available to maximise light with the use of internal glazing Light is the new luxury in many architectural and interior designs. Improving light within the home has been said to... View Article

Simpler facade solutions

Simon Boocock of CRL Europe discusses how advances in installation technology are making glass facades easier and quicker to install without putting people at risk All-glass buildings are a common sight in urban areas, making a dramatic architectural statement. Glass... View Article

Achieving peace of mind

Sean Haynes of FireGlass UK discusses the importance of recent accreditation and certification systems when it comes to specifying the correct fire-rated glass Insulated glass units (IGUs), including double glazed units, are individually sealed units which are made up of... View Article

Natural light for natural learning

Jens Christoffersen of Velux looks at why natural light is so important in learning environments, and discusses various design interventions for increasing it A common antidote to the ‘winter blues’ is often a break in a warmer, sunnier climate, preferably... View Article

The fledgling market for bird-safe glass

Birds colliding with glass on building facades is one of the leading causes of avian mortality across the globe, however despite this fact it’s an issue that has often flown under the radar in the UK. Here Leo Pyrah of... View Article

Putting students’ safety first

David Hoyle of Hoyles Electronic Developments discusses the fire risks in student accommodation, as well the possible solutions including combatting false alarms The last thing students off to university will be thinking of is fire safety. Shared accommodation such as university... View Article

Decking decisions

Laura Keily of Accsys Group summarises three of the most common materials when planning an outdoor deck and discusses some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing your preferred route In January 2019, the Global... View Article

A lesson in underfloor heating

Mark Crowsley of Cellecta discusses the continued need for large new schools to install underfloor heating floating floor solutions that achieve excellent acoustic performance as well as efficiency Schools can be noisy environments – excessive background noise, loud corridors, and... View Article

That’s a wrap

With eco-friendly materials fast becoming rising stars in the world of interiors, Lindsay Appleton of Architextural discusses the many benefits of using architectural films and how they can refurbish existing surfaces Gone are the days when wrapping was exclusive to... View Article

Natural remedies for learning

It’s a given that schools need good quality daylight for good learning environments; Tony Isaac of Brett Martin explains why enabling natural light to enter has never been more important Good quality daylight is a readily available and sustainable natural... View Article

A breath of fresh air

Eliot Warrington of Solarcrest explains how airtightness will affect any building, whether clients want to build a certified Passivhaus or just meet Building Regulations UK Building Regulations are really promoting airtightness and it’s now mandatory to pressure test every new... View Article

Designed to please the eye as well as the ears

Architects are under increasing pressure to ensure the comfort of building occupants – particularly regarding acoustics. Will Jones of Ecophon discusses how acoustic solutions can be included within the design of the building without sacrificing the aesthetic From sales of... View Article