Building a new reputation

Sean Welch of Forticrete explores how architectural masonry has the potential to move beyond its heartland in the commercial sector, and create a ‘new generation’ of residential properties. While concrete masonry blocks have been around for decades, they have traditionally... View Article

Slow planning process causing project delays for architects

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the latest Future Trends survey results, a monthly report of the business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. In July 2021 the overall RIBA Future Trends Workload Index remained in strongly positive territory,... View Article

Construction output drops for third consecutive month

According to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, the construction sector’s monthly output fell by 1.3% in June 2021. This is the third consecutive month that output has fallen, which the ONS attributed to a decline in repair and... View Article

Rocco Design Architects nears Completion on a Headquarters Tower

Construction is wrapping up at Rocco Design Architects’ (RDA) latest project, a 193.5-meter-tall headquarters building for Essence Financial Securities featuring triple- and septuple-height courtyards that rise through the floors. Located in Futian, the central business district of Shenzhen, the tower... View Article

DLA Announces Senior Promotions

DLA Architecture, a top 100 UK architectural practice, has announced two senior promotions as part of its succession planning strategy. Mark Hargreaves has been promoted from Associate Director to become Director and education sector lead in the Leeds studio.  Mark,... View Article

Using SuDS to add value

GreenBlue Urban looks at how the appropriate specification of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) can add tangible value to developments, beyond flood mitigation. Using Sustainable Drainage features calls on developers, designers, and planners to adopt a new way of thinking,... View Article

The sustainable showering solution

Martin Walker of Methven shares advice on the types of showering technologies to specify to successfully reduce developments’ water usage without compromising on performance or aesthetics. In 1960 around 85 litres of water were used per person, per day. Fast... View Article

Modern methods of regeneration

A modular regeneration company has integrated its new house design within a burgeoning project to revitalise a deprived part of Manchester. Chris Shaw, director of delivery at Urban Splash, describes the factory-built offerings to Jack Wooler. In Stubbs Mews, New... View Article

UK Property Market Outlook: 9 August 2021

Activity in the UK housing market was frenetic in June as buyers and sellers rushed to beat the stamp duty holiday deadline. What has emerged since is an untenable disconnect between supply and demand. Demand has outstripped supply in most... View Article

Great expectations

A mix of 40 high-end and local authority homes are being constructed in a desirable Cambridgeshire village. Jack Wooler reports on how Hayfield Homes delivered its first scheme in the county. 40 new properties are being delivered by Hayfield Homes... View Article

Slowest rise in construction output since February

The recovery in UK construction output has lost momentum since June, with slower growth seen in all three main categories of work, according to July PMI data compiled by IHS Markit and CIPS highlighted. Survey respondents reportedly often cited difficulties... View Article

Design for Hawkins\Brown’s Aston University Building Approved

Hawkins\Brown has been awarded planning approval by Birmingham City Council for a new 12,000 m² (GIA) university building for Aston University. The ten-storey building will create a new high-quality landmark as the University refreshes its central Birmingham campus with a significant... View Article

Plans for New TV Studio in Shinfield Approved

Scott Brownrigg’s design for a new purpose-built TV studio located at the Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield has been unanimously approved by Wokingham Borough Council on behalf of the University of Reading. This follows the University’s announcement in December... View Article

Chad Gordon Autism Campus Retrofit Completes

Pedder & Scampton were commissioned by LB Haringey in 2019 to transform two dilapidated former community buildings on a shared site into a new campus for local residents with autism and complex learning disabilities and a support hub for Haringey... View Article

Beyer Blinder Belle Announces Opening of Hastings Hall

Beyer Blinder Belle (BBB) announces the opening of Hastings Hall, fully renovated graduate housing for the Union Theological Seminary (UTS) campus in New York City. The renovation is one of the first projects undertaken by the institution following BBB’s comprehensive UTS Campus Renewal Plan. The Campus... View Article