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
Sarah Wigglesworth Architects

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
Lee McLaughlin, FaulknerBrowns Architects

Ask the Architect: FaulknerBrowns Architects

Lee McLaughlin, partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, answers Architects Datafile’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... View Article

Evolving modular design

Architect James Walsh gives his views on the merits of a component-based approach concept for modular buildings, which could shift them away from their former stigma As the move to modular construction gathers pace, what are the key design drivers... View Article
New toolkit for better quality – Nigel Ostime, Hawkins\Brown | Hawkins\Brown Architects – ADF interviews Nigel Ostime

View Point – Nigel Ostime from Hawkins\Brown

Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown Architects discusses how practices can research and adopt aspects of AI and automation, and thereby stay one step ahead of the robots About five years ago, two academics from Oxford, Carl Frey and Michael Osborne, produced... View Article

Practice Profile: gpad London

With origins in small residential projects, gpad London is a firm that has proved its mettle through steady growth and diversification. Sébastien Reed speaks to managing director Charles Bettes The silver lining of gpad london founder and current chair Christopher... View Article

View Point – Richard Harral of CABE

Richard Harral of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) says the lessons we need to learn from Dame Judith Hackitt’s post-Grenfell review must include a wider look at our society’s relationship with its buildings, and regulatory reform Attention has been... View Article
Why timber is the answer – Jeremy English of Sӧdra

Why timber is the answer

ADF caught up with Jeremy English of Sӧdra to discuss why he feels timber is the solution to the UK’s housing crisis, and how the material can help architects adopt less labour-intensive, offsite building techniques What do you see as... View Article
Weston Williamson + Partners

Practice Profile: Weston Williamson + Partners

Now big players in the transport and master planning sectors, Weston Williamson + Partners have helped shape infrastructure across London and the wider UK, with major clients including Crossrail and HS2. Sébastien Reed speaks to partners Chris Williamson and Philip... View Article
New toolkit for better quality – Nigel Ostime, Hawkins\Brown | Hawkins\Brown Architects – ADF interviews Nigel Ostime

View Point – Nigel Ostime from Hawkins\Brown

Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown Architects and chair of the RIBA Client Liaison Group, says that without measuring feedback, architects can’t improve Manufacturers ask for feedback as a matter of routine and use it to improve their products in the next... View Article

Transparently innovative

The Francis Crick Institute is a unique research hub, dedicated to discovering how diseases behave. Larry Malcic of HOK explains to Jack Wooler how the building’s ‘transparent’ design benefits the vital work of the facility: Amassive state-of-the-art facility now sits... View Article
New toolkit for better quality – Nigel Ostime, Hawkins\Brown | Hawkins\Brown Architects – ADF interviews Nigel Ostime

View Point – Nigel Ostime from Hawkins\Brown

Nigel Ostime, delivery director at architects Hawkins\Brown and chair of the RIBA Client Liaison Group, looks at how a ‘chain of custody’ approach is fundamental to a new toolkit created to ensure a focus on quality in projects A new... View Article
Rooflights in schools

A brighter future for our kids

Imma Boada of Kingspan Light + Air, manufacturer of rooflights, looks at how the need for effective daylight within our schools extends far beyond issues of academic attainment. In 1999, Heschong Mahone Group conducted a comprehensive study that analysed the... View Article

Taking a circular route to emergency care efficiency

A new hospital in Cramlington, Northumberland, is the first in the NHS to be purpose-designed for emergency cases. Neil Harvey of Ramboll explains how the building simplifies the route from admission to specialists using a ‘panopticon’ ward design The Northumbria Specialist... View Article

The power of nature

HLM’s Aline Browers and David Greig explain how the benefits of biophilia are increasingly being recognised by designers working in educational environments Biophilia is a term popularised by American psychologist Ed Wilson in the 1980s. When you ask people where... View Article
Architects Interview: Martin Williams, Saunders

Practice Profile: Saunders

With a pragmatic approach and a retail pedigree architects Saunders is broadening its horizons, with a newfound focus on the residential sector. Sébastien Reed spoke to the firm’s Martin Williams to find out more Saunders was established 30 years ago... View Article

Clear innovation

Adrian Adams of Saint-Gobain Building Glass outlines the current and future ‘megatrends’ that are influencing architectural glazing specification: Architectural glazing is an exciting area, and there are always new trends and product developments. However, there are also a wide range... View Article

More bang for your buck

Providing the authentic Asian streetfood dining experience, a new food hall in north London was also an intriguing dish for the architects to try, as Roseanne Field reports Opening a new restaurant in London is never an easy task, particularly... View Article

An introduction to specifying self-cleaning glass

Phil Brown of Pilkington UK offers a guide to the benefits of self-cleaning glass, and the science behind the product: Glass is the one of the ‘go-to’ materials used to create modern commercial and residential developments. Its ubiquity is a... View Article

Eliminating the margin for error

Cath McLean from Promat UK explains the benefits of a whole-system approach for effective fire-resistant glazing Uncertainty and confusion still prevail in the market around the design and installation of passive fire protection measures, particularly fire- resistant glass and the... View Article