Features Articles

In influencing the choice of heating and ventilation systems architects can ensure these systems support their designs while delivering optimum building performance. Phil Brompton of Powrmatic explains: As regulations require improved thermal performance of buildings – through better thermal insulation... View Article

The demand for increasing levels of thermal performance is driven by both the market and regulatory pressures and can be answered by innovations in Structural Framing Systems (SFS) technology, writes Knauf The advantages of SFS methods of construction in terms... View Article

This summer a new factory opens in the North East of England – the first large-scale railway train building facility to be built in Britain for more than a century. Ray Philpott finds out what makes it special. Aswathe of... View Article

By Steven Bentley, Director, Ramboll UK When the New North Zealand Hospital in Hillerød, Denmark, delivered its brief for the design of a new hospital, it asked for “creativity and innovation” and spoke of the opportunity to “build for the... View Article

Architectural engineering elegance and intelligent design integrates into its surrounding environment transforming architecture into art. CANAL Architectural explores the art of stairs. Every piece of architecture should be as unique as the person who initially designed it. The ability to... View Article

By Robert Mustoe, managing director of the Senator Group Understanding the importance of individuality is paramount, whether it’s in an educational environment or a Silicon Valley boardroom. By personalising the ways in which we approach tasks, we increase the potential... View Article

Rebecca Clayton, technical sales executive at IQ Glass looks at the changing trends in glazing, due largely to constant innovations in technology. As in all elements of design, trends change over time. This is therefore true of architectural glazing. Various things throughout all... View Article

When it comes to ceiling solutions in today’s buildings, material choice is more important than ever. Consideration has to be given to occupant comfort, ease of maintenance, durability, flexibility for future change and visual appeal, through the fit out, to... View Article

The most common question asked about the suitability of underfloor heating (UFH) in a building conversion is ‘how can we minimise the floor build up?’ This is an important area to master within a project such as an office to... View Article

Instead of a shining new development for the retired, Anchor Trust and English Care Village Partnerships are using design to invent a history for an assisted living development in Hampshire, as Steve Menary reports. Ensuring good design can be achieved... View Article

Ventilated façades have been around for a long time. In traditional Scandinavian housing, for example, an air gap was included between the timber external wall and the internal wall, as a way of preventing these soft wood structures from rotting... View Article

The country’s second largest ever concrete pour was needed to create a building for Cambridge’s materials scientists in which vibration could be kept to a minimum. Mark Smulian reports. It must have been a remarkable sight when 120 lorries drove... View Article

Experts from the UK Structural Insulated Panel Association explain why the use of SIPS technology is on the increase across the UK. Structural insulated panel systems (SIPS) are an advanced method of construction, offering superior insulation, structural strength and air-tightness.... View Article

By Roger Hemmings, marketing manager of Havwoods The demand for solid and engineered wood flooring has never been so great and many clients are now requesting it for use in a huge variety of applications including walls and ceilings as well... View Article

Kevin Roe, sales director of Kingspan Klargester, looks at the drainage options available for different sites. Of the country’s current stock of 25 million houses, around 1.5 million are not connected to the sewer. In all cases the first consideration... View Article