Modern heating solutions in higher education

Dawn Simpson of Contour Heating provides some key attributes of modern heating solutions and why it is important to consider them while selecting a heating system for educational premises Choosing the right heating system for educational buildings is essential as... View Article

View Point: Ivanova Konstanca

Ivanova Konstanca from Stride Treglown outlines the benefits and features of a circular economy – one where waste and pollution are eliminated, products and materials are recirculated ‘at their highest value,’ and natural systems are regenerated Circular economy goes beyond... View Article

Streamlined methods

As the construction industry continues to face increased pressures amidst a global skills shortage, Martin Harvey from McAvoy discusses how offsite plus digital innovation remains a key means to streamline the industry’s methods Modern methods of construction (MMC) are disrupting... View Article

Practice Profile: PRP Architects

As PRP marks its 60th anniversary, senior partners Manisha Patel and Brendan Kilpatrick reveal to ADF how a strong ethos around community-led design and collaborative culture has been instrumental to achieving enduring success In the 1960s, the UK was grappling... View Article

Brick’s net zero future

In today’s construction industry, brick forms part of the sustainability argument and the drive towards net zero carbon emissions. Keith Aldis of the Brick Development Association (BDA) explains how manufacturing has evolved Brick is not only one of the most... View Article

Storing up future benefits

Tony Huggins from David Bailey Furniture highlights the importance of the humble cupboard and fitted storage unit within a modern educational setting, and offers some key pointers for architects to consider There is no doubt that schools are striving to... View Article

Educational copper

Copper has seen a dramatic change from its historic place in roofing to a leading role in today’s facades, particularly for academic structures. Here Chris Hodson from Aurubis provides some striking examples With an exceptionally long life, copper requires no... View Article

Keeping cool naturally

Alex Hill from Whitecode Consulting looks at fabric-based approaches to balancing thermal performance and comfort in UK school buildings, in the context of a range of challenges We are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of heat in the UK, and British... View Article

Dialogue by design

Oliver Moore of Design Engine Architects looks at how the design of Sixth Forms is evolving to harness the ability of non-hierarchical classrooms to foster more communal dialogue and learning Dialogue is fundamental to the way that Design Engine Architects... View Article

A sense of renewal

Rohit Sharma from Bona discusses how sustainable, high-performance flooring solutions can be achieved by renewing resilient floors in a variety of sectors Popular due to its low-cost, hard-wearing properties, as well as the ergonomic and acoustic factors, resilient surfaces are... View Article

Showing how to build with stone

Many homeowners dream of including natural stone somewhere in the home. Whether it is limestone floors, granite worktops, marble in the bathroom, a sandstone patio or a slate roof, the chances are there will be natural stone somewhere. Simply put,... View Article

The rise of underfloor venting

Karl Stauss at AET Flexible Space discusses the changing face of commercial ventilation Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) may seem almost incidental when designing commercial spaces. But with changing working trends and new regulations now in force, it is... View Article

National savings

Andrew Mellor from PRP Architects wonders whether a real energy saving strategy would be more relevant than the Government’s new Powering Up Britain idea The new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero recently published its Powering Up Britain report which... View Article

How timber can dovetail into the circular economy

With the construction industry responsible for a third of the world’s total waste, Scott Martin from Mumford & Wood asks when is the sector going to take responsibility The industry’s monumental output of non-biodegradable and often hazardous materials has been... View Article

Building in accessibility

Yola Mealing of Stiltz Homelifts considers how factoring in accessibility at project planning stage delivers the ‘forever home’ that clients are desiring As more homes are reworked for multi-functional living, the opportunity exists to create properties that cater for all... View Article

Testing your metal

With regulation changes and a market still in recovery mode, specifiers and architects looking to utilise metal for roofing and cladding should expect fresh challenges over the coming months, says Simon Walker at SIG Design and Technology As a global... View Article

Tap into vital water savings

Kate Hirst at Lecico Bathrooms taps into the crucial issue of water scarcity, and how specifiers looking to water saving products can help to provide a host of economic, social, and environmental benefits Today, one in 10 people have no... View Article

Hidden and chic

Häfele UK’s Elizabeth Briggs shares design concepts as well as budgeting ideas for integrating multi-functional hidden kitchens into residential designs post-pandemic The rise in popularity of hidden kitchens has multiple factors, but it is undoubtedly driven what we can call... View Article

Site Lines: The zero cement game

Will Lavelle of Atkins and Dr Philippa Horton from the University of Cambridge discuss what’s claimed to be the world’s first trial of zero emissions cement, which aims to develop ‘net-zero’ cement for the global construction industry The decarbonisation of... View Article

Ask the Architects: Andrew Chapman & Tim Chestnutt

ADF gets two perspectives from Leeds practice Brewster Bye Architects – residential and student accommodation specialist and newly appointed director Andrew Chapman, and recently qualified architect Tim Chestnutt What made you want to become an architect? Andrew: From an extremely early... View Article