Enlightened efficiency

Martyn Frear of CP Electronics explains how efficient, effective and beneficial lighting control can be in the education sector, and how it impacts on design of school buildings The design of school buildings is advancing fast, with quicker construction via... View Article

Halls of elegance

Student accommodation and flooring have improved to a level which is almost unrecognisable compared with a few years ago, reports Nav Dhillon of Gerflor Forget the drab, dull and dreary student accommodation of yesteryear; things have changed – the students... View Article

Bathrooms for all

Mark Bowman of Marmox offers some advice on ensuring that design and installation of bathrooms both large and small is a success From the Supreme Court of America to the smaller council chambers across rural England, the issues regarding the... View Article

The direct route to a sustainable solution for schools

Carole Armstrong of Delabie UK considers the compelling advantages of direct flush over cistern flush WCs for projects in the education sector In the education sector, WCs account for over two thirds of total water consumption. Traditional cistern flush mechanisms... View Article

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 Last December... View Article

A brighter future for our kids

Imma Boada of Kingspan Light + Air 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 academic performance of... View Article

More than just doors

Holly Graham at Premdor explains why doors can be the key design feature which will define a space, while reflecting an interior design vision Great interiors rely on balance and getting the essentials of the room right, and it’s a... 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 many faces of polycarbonate

With a plentiful range of benefits, not least its versatility, James Patrick from Kingspan Insulated Panels explains why designers can view polycarbonate as an architectural material in its own right: Introducing as much natural light into a building as possible... 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

Vision 2018

Vision 2018, the two-day conference and exhibition aimed at architects, designers, specifiers and clients, takes place on 21 – 22 June at the Business Design Centre in London Vision showcases the latest developments in materials, products and technology alongside a... View Article

Practice Profile: Saunders

With a pragmatic approach and a retail pedigree 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 by... View Article

Creating a sound workplace

Poor acoustic performance can detract from an otherwise brilliant workplace design, so it needs consideration in the early planning stages of a project, explains Kye Edwards of Ocula Systems: People respond differently to design of their working environment – some... View Article

Zero VOCs or not?

Matthew Pemberton at Treatex wood finishes considers the key questions for architects around VOCs, including whether they can be a misleading factor when selecting products for the least environmental impact How can architects select an internal or external wood finish... View Article

“CDW Presents”

This month, east London’s design hub will reveal a new series of collaborations for the ninth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) commissioned public installations, offering a fresh insight into design and materials. Integral to the festival’s unique structure, the... 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

Delivering the vision

Bespoke brick making is undergoing a revival, as Michael Brown of Northcot Brick explains The architecture of many of our towns and cities still reveals diverse regional characteristics dating back to the days when clay was quarried locally and towns... View Article

Handrail compliance: Overcoming physical barriers

Disabled people continue to be affected by the lack of access into public and commercial buildings. Christian King of Kee Systems discusses the regulations around disabled access and explores how an upgrade in handrailing systems can ensure buildings are compliant... View Article