A copper-bottomed sustainability case

As well as wide applications in contemporary architectural design, there is more to copper than meets the eye when it comes to recyclability, sustainability and longevity, explains Graeme Bell of Aurubis Copper is a natural element found within the earth’s... View Article

Sealing concrete’s interior future

Architects and designers are broadening their concrete horizons – firmly cementing the time-honoured material’s place in ‘softer’ interior applications. Craig Bell from Osmo provides advice on maintaining its durability Trends in interior design change constantly, and it can be hard... View Article

Taking fencing to the next level

John Abernethie of Birkdale looks at how fencing has evolved beyond a functional element to help architects provide increasingly in-demand, attractive outdoor spaces for clients Outdoor areas are becoming more important for both residential and commercial projects. The health and... View Article

Cavity wall openings – why do that?

Unlike roll DPC, self-supporting trays eliminate inner skin building-in and can be supplied ‘biased’ to take-up the cavity width encountered. Compatibility and consistent protection. Blockwork inner skin  mortar beds every 225mm limit convenient building-in opportunities, whereas self-supporting trays do not... View Article

Ensuring safe and beautiful brickwork buildings

Masonry materials have been used to create buildings for centuries. However, with increasingly strict regulations around fire safety, there is a need for passive fire solutions specifically for masonry projects. In addition to standard cavity barriers and firestops, Siderise has... View Article

Ceramic tiling to raised access flooring

The current rash of conversions of office buildings to residential use has meant that tiles are increasingly being laid on existing raised access flooring. Tilemaster Adhesives Ltd – Kerakoll Group is currently the only UK tiling products supplier to offer... View Article

Newton takes on waterproofing design liability

Newton Waterproofing, the UK’s leading independent designers and suppliers of guaranteed waterproofing systems, has launched a bespoke Design Service dedicated to helping architects and specifiers with a range of projects. The service consists of a dedicated team of technical staff... View Article

F. Ball raises the level at Aberystwyth University

Technical representatives from F. Ball and Co. Ltd. have provided contractors from John Lord Flooring, based in Bury, with a cost-effective alternative to completely removing and replacing a weakened screed as part of a flooring refurbishment at the Aberystwyth Arts... View Article

A 1970s revival

A controversial 1970s building in the historic heart of Cheltenham has been transformed by AWW Architects to provide a contemporary mixed-use commercial development. Neil Smith from AluK reports Once a 1970s landmark in the centre of Cheltenham, but later becoming... View Article

Performance through time

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc looks back at how changes in technology have improved the manufacture of zinc over the decades to enable greater versatility and durability in today’s projects The first zinc roof was installed on St Bartholomew’s Church in Liege,... View Article

Slated for natural versatility

David Cooke from Cupa Pizarras discusses the versatility of natural slate when it comes to aesthetics, and the resulting design freedom it offers architects, giving recent examples In an age where the environmental impact of our actions is rightly under... View Article