Airing ventilated cladding’s healthy set of benefits

Rockpanel’s Mark Snowden outlines the benefits of ventilated cladding buildups, in terms of the affect on fire safety performance in the wake of Grenfell Tower, as well as how such systems can benefit internal environmental quality in projects The Grenfell... View Article

Primary colours

Jemma Saunders from Crown Paints shares tips on using colour in primary school design so that spaces are easier to navigate for young children’s wellbeing Designing a primary school is a tough balancing act; educational spaces must encourage creativity, inspire... View Article

Bringing a sense of theatre to Devon flood defences

Paul Hargreaves from Jacobs describes how the firm innovated a flood defence project in Sidmouth to create a dual-use amphitheatre for residents, as an amenity which enhanced the environment while helping protect them from future floods The Sidmouth flood alleviation... View Article

A performance-based approach to energy modelling & rating

Shikha Bhardwaj from Hawkins\Brown looks at the changing conversation around energy, and the shift from ‘designing for compliance’ to ‘designing for performance,’ as embodied in the increasingly popular NABERS approach The conversation around energy is changing. The energy crisis –... View Article

Solutions for Compliance: Part L and beyond

We staged our first industry round table a month before the legal requirement was brought in for all new dwellings to comply with the new Part L of the Building Regulations, which requires them to produce 31% fewer carbon emissions... View Article

Rooflights with the authentic touch

Keeret Eden from The Rooflight Company discusses retrofitting rooflights to heritage properties to deliver the latest thermal performance standards while also improving user experience Retrofitting describes not only an intention to renovate but also to reduce the energy and carbon... View Article

Sensitive to urban safety

New legislation in the form of Martyn’s Law means that organisations which operate venues and locations where people gather will have a duty to prevent terrorist attacks. Mark Stone from Securiscape discusses the architect’s role in the UK’s ongoing campaign... View Article

Getting to grips with Part L

A year on from the latest, and highly significant, changes to Part L in England, Chris Pateman of Engineered Panels in Construction (EPIC), explores why the current requirements are so important, and what specifiers need to know going forward now... View Article

A false dichotomy?

Lidia Cetrangolo from Multipanel delves into whether style and sustainability are really conflicting requirements in bathroom design, and how they can both be met using wall panel solutions While their function is to service the basic daily needs of a... View Article

Practice Profile: Space Group

This Newcastle-based practice has built a reputation around the development of digital design services alongside project commissions, with a particular focus on harnessing the benefits of BIM. CEO Rob Charlton explains its ethos to Laura Shadwell North east based architectural... View Article

The power of aluminium

Aluminium door and window systems offer architects an easy way to introduce unique designs to any residential or commercial property. Andrew Cross at Kestrel Aluminium Systems explains how Architects are, by definition, creative thinkers inspired by the way buildings affect... View Article

Powered by good design

Darren Hyde for the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA), outlines how to balance safety, security and accessibility requirements when identifying powered pedestrian door (PPD) solutions for commercial buildings There are a variety of challenges that architects and specifiers need to... View Article

View Point: Oliver Lowrie of Ackroyd Lowrie

LISTEN HERE Oliver Lowrie, director and co-founder at Ackroyd Lowrie shares how his firm is championing new talent, and why greater diversity and inclusivity is essential for safeguarding the future of the industry At Ackroyd Lowrie, we are building a... View Article

The rise and rise of SuDS

Mark Manning of water management specialists SDS discusses upcoming legislation on surface water management, and how SuDS will increasingly be the solution Legislation scheduled for introduction in England next year (presently subject to a period of further consultation and full... View Article

Decked out in aluminium

Harriet Keohane from Saige Premium Composite Products shares essential pointers for architects and designers specifying aluminium decking for new build or retrofit projects, to ensure the safety and functionality of outdoor spaces There are key considerations when it comes to... View Article

Take the lift and slide route

Ryan Thompson from SIEGENIA UK explains why architects need to consider lift and slide doors as an aesthetic and secure alternative to the near-ubiquitous choice of recent years that is bifold doors With the recent hot summers and the events... View Article

Break the mould with thermal breaks for balconies

Thermal bridges in balconies considerably affect the overall thermal transmittance of building envelopes and, according to Nicolas De Vrieze from Leviat, can be the main cause of building defects such as condensation, mould formation, and degradation of materials. Here he... View Article

Ask the Architect: Jerry Ryan

As co-founder of London based international architecture and urban design practice HKR Architects, Jerry Ryan shares his passion for the history of architecture, and looks forward to a technological future as the practice celebrates its 30th year What made you... View Article

Site Lines: A heritage refurb checklist

Simon Castle from Chisholm & Winch discusses the varied, but essential considerations that architects need to bear in mind when approaching listed building renovations According to Historic England, there are estimated to be around 500,000 listed buildings on the National... View Article