Evidencing competency: Who is the judge?

Nigel Ostime, architect and principal at Ostime Consulting, questions the effectiveness of the new competency requirements for Principal Designers under the Building Safety Act, asking whether the varied systems plus no unified vetting will ensure safety. One of the glaring... View Article

Clearly ready for the FHS

Paul Higgins of TuffX explores glazing options for meeting the demands of Part O but also the upcoming Future Homes Standard, on aesthetics and function During an era of change in the construction, we are also at a pivotal moment... View Article

Keep healthy and even cool with underfloor heating

Ashley Cooper of WMS explains why underfloor heating is a key way to improve indoor air quality and reduce airbourne pollutants, while also providing a cost-effective way of mitigating overheating in homes While soft furnishings are typically known as the... View Article

Practice Profile: Holmes Miller

ADF’s Kim Neville traces the evolution of multi-award winning Glasgow practice Holmes Miller, from its modest origins 70 years ago to overcoming a series of challenges which equipped it to deliver further future growth Holmes Miller was established in 2011... View Article

Success cast in stone

Toby Marlow of Haddonstone explains how architects can achieve the best outcomes when using cast stone and what advice they should expect from a manufacturer There is a virtually endless variety to the forms which cast stone can take, from... View Article

Going beyond Gateway 2

Chris Hall of Siderise looks at the new design quality regime under the Building Sagfety Act, and the Gateway 2 approval for higher-risk buildings in particular, discussing what architects need to know on the documentation requirements One of the most... View Article

View Point: Sara Edmonds

Architect and National Retrofit Hub co-director Sara Edmonds discusses the critical need for a major retrofit programme to tackle fuel poverty, reduce emissions and improve housing quality, and how the Hub is driving collaborative action The challenge of retrofitting the... View Article

Making the most of aluminium windows

Director of ASWS (Associated Steel Window Services) Kris Bennell, considers how conserving aluminium window systems can cut cost as well as carbon As a strong, lightweight and very versatile material, aluminium has seen service for everything from saucepans to the... View Article

Cascading the benefits of decorative metal in workspaces

Kelly Goldsmith of Amron Architectural unveils the power of ‘architectural drapery’ to creating captivating spaces using metal sculptural elements that also provide the practicality required in workspaces When integrated into workspace design, decorative metal not only elevates the aesthetic appeal... View Article

Copper’s resilient appeal

The Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) explores the benefits of copper in modern day infrastructure – from our homes to hospitals and transportation systems – and how copper is helping to create a more sustainable future through careful and considered design... View Article

London Build 2024 presents its biggest edition yet

20-21 November Olympia London On 20-21 November, the UK’s leading and largest construction show, London Build, is back and this year it’s set for its biggest edition yet, with brand-new, exciting features and stages for attendees to discover!  London Build... View Article

Natural remedies

Velindre Cancer Centre Cardiff, Wales The new facility under construction in Cardiff designed by White Arkitekter will show it’s possible to achieve a significant NHS building using mass timber; in a project that aims to create the UK’s most sustainable... View Article

How to balance preservation with modernisation

Ardit Strica of Onduline Building Products discusses the challenges faced in heritage roofing projects and offers insights into selecting appropriate materials and techniques that meet both conservation and performance requirements Restoring heritage buildings is a meticulous process that requires a... View Article

Zinc: the natural choice

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc says the history of zinc specification aligns with its future When zinc was first used as a roofing material at the beginning of the 19th century many of the reasons for its choice all that time... View Article

Connections to a golden past

One of the last buildings bearing the signature of Zaha Hadid is a mixed use workplace sitting alongside Prague’s oldest railway station, and inspired by the historic ‘golden city’ and the dynamism of rail travel “Masaryčka can without exaggeration be... View Article

Towards a greener steel future

Andy Hackett of voestalpine Metsec puts the case for putting steel at the core of industry moves towards the goal of net zero carbon 2050, as production begins to evolve away from fossil fuels, and advises a holistic comparison of... View Article

Using colour to create inclusive spaces

Careful consideration of architectural design is essential for developing spaces that are welcoming, futureproofed, and accessible for all. Dawn Scott of Dulux Trade discusses how colour can transform buildings and improve wellbeing for all Inclusive design is centred on creating... View Article

CCPI: an essential tool for building trust

The Building Safety Act has made it critical for cladding manufacturers to provide accurate product information. Alan Lamming from Valcan discusses how the advent of of CCPI is building a sense of trust among manufacturers and specifiers In today’s industry,... View Article