The sky’s the limit with glass, but play it safe!

Justin Seldis of Sunsquare looks at why glass has become the building material of choice for architects, but also explains why it’s never been more important to put safety and security first as designs get bigger and more elaborate Glass... View Article

The final curtain?

Alex Cooke of Kingspan Light + Air looks at why polycarbonate curtain walling solutions are being specified as an alternative to glass across various building types Glittering glazed buildings are a popular sight in many of our towns and cities.... View Article

Viewpoint: Russell Pedley of Assael Architecture

Russell Pedley of Assael Architecture looks at how the humble beginnings of build-to-rent has led to a new design sector and an investor’s dream, but also challenges for project teams from out-of-date standards The history of build-to-rent (BTR) in the... View Article

Building genuinely affordable homes

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management and Maintenance magazine discusses why levelling up requires more genuinely affordable homes, including homes for social rent. There are approximately 24 million households in England, and a surprisingly high number... View Article

Playing our part in levelling up

Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) discusses why the government should be harnessing the power of SME housebuilders to achieve ‘levelling up.’ The industry closed out last year on a relative high with workloads doing well, despite... View Article

From the Editor

Michael Gove’s ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper roped in a variety of important housing moves as part of its wide regeneration agenda. There has been controversy around re-announcements of funding packages, ‘regifted’ like unwanted christmas presents, and suggestions this substantial initiative... View Article

Ask the Architect: John Rhodes of HOK

With extensive experience in arena and stadium design, John Rhodes of HOK explains what drives him, and how the pandemic has forced designers to ‘futureproof’ major facilities What made you want to become an architect? I think I have always... View Article

Stream of consciousness

With even greater proliferation of film and TV content across a growing range of streaming platforms since the pandemic, there’s huge demand for sustainable production facilities in the UK. Jason Lebidineuse of Scott Brownrigg and Michael Davis of JLL explain... View Article

View Point: Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown (Part 2)

In the second of two articles, Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown provides a comprehensive guide on managing a Pre-Construction Services Agreement to get the best outcome for architects and their clients In last month’s edition, I explained what a Pre-Construction Services Agreement... View Article

From the editor…

Hello and welcome to 2022! Well, you might be used to this new year by now, with all of its wintry trials and tribulations, but this is the first issue of Selfbuilder and Homemaker of the year, and we are... View Article

Ask the Expert: Home and dry

Andrew Scanlon of Everbuild answers some of the basement waterproofing queries asked by self-builders to help them avoid getting out of their depth in their projects Basement conversions have long been a popular way to increase the usable space in... View Article

View Point: Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown (Part 1)

In the first of two articles, architect and partner at Hawkins\Brown Nigel Ostime looks at how Pre-Construction Services Agreements (PCSAs) can better engage contractors to tackle issues early on, and offers advice on what to tell clients before they sign... View Article

Practice Profile: Lead8

Multidisciplinary practice Lead8 has ascended quickly to global status since founding in 2014, picking up numerous accolades along the way. ADF’s Tom Boddy speaks to co-founders Christine Hau and David Buffonge Despite being among the 100 top international firms, Lead8... View Article

The road to ‘levelling up’

Patrick Mooney says that the number of new homes needed across the North and Midlands to deliver the Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda runs to hundreds of thousands, every year. The Government’s housebuilding policies have been ‘on hold’ ever since the... View Article

A tough year for SME builders

Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), takes a look at the barriers SME housebuilders have overcome in 2021, and the challenges that face them moving forwards. The industry closes out another year with enquiries still high and... View Article

Practice Profile: White Ink Architects

James Parker spoke to a Belfast practice founded at the start of the 21st century, which expanded to specialise in “difficult” mixed use schemes, and is now the first in Northern Ireland to be completely employee owned White Ink Architects... View Article

View Point: Rory Bergin from HTA Design

Rory Bergin from HTA Design says that with timber under fire in the complex testing landscape post-Grenfell, specifiers are being wrongly deterred from choosing the material for taller buildings, while being asked for more sustainable designs Current amendments to Building... View Article

Home Styling: Post-lockdown on the farm

Richard Bradley of V33 offers styling tips on achieving the ‘modern farmhouse kitchen’ look, and plants some seeds on possible finishes to go for in your build Most people would understand completely what a traditional farmhouse kitchen look would entail.... View Article