Best of both worlds

Dealing with planners can be a frustrating business, but to modernise a substantial Victorian building in Devon, Geoff Hall also had to negotiate heritage surveyors, ecologists, conservationists and archaeologists TEXT EWEN MACDONALD IMAGES CO CREATE ARCHITECTS A ramshackle 19th century home... View Article

Money to burn?

Installing a wood burning stove in your home can not only save you money on your heating bills but can also enhance the aesthetic value of your living space. Dennis Milligan of the British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA)... View Article

Building a case for keeping it clay

A campaign has been launched to inform self-builders on why they should stay with clay brick rather than look at concrete newcomers. Keith Aldis of the Brick Development Association explains further The campaign we have launched features an illustrated comparative... View Article

Converted to Class Q

For Kat & Tris Baxter-Smith, the challenge of converting an agricultural barn on the farm belonging to Tris’ family – to his own design – became a lesson in the pros and cons of Class Q permitted development  TEXT ROSEANNE... View Article

Home Styling: Designs that work for you

Hybrid working is here to stay, so it’s no surprise that a dedicated workspace has become a staple of houses’ layouts. But where do you start when planning a home office? Steve Hird of Edward Thomas Interiors gets down to... View Article

Ask the Expert: Fully kitted up

Your choice of construction method will affect almost every aspect of your project. Derek Dawson of Scandia Hus answers some common questions on kit homes, explaining how they can be the ‘ultimate solution’ for a self-build WHAT IS A KIT... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Lighting

Whether it’s for accenting individual items, creating overall ambience, or achieving the right light levels for working from home, getting lighting right is one of the first priorities for a great interior design. Here we round up a selection of... View Article

Fit for purpose

During their long saga to build a home with stables on an exposed site on the west coast of Scotland, David and Louisa Wallace discovered that bigger isn’t necessarily better when they had to edit their plans down TEXT NIK... View Article

The heritage is in the detail

Andy Sharlot, chief designer at IG Masonry Support, explains how a mixed use scheme in south London required a high level of detail to achieve an authentic brickwork look that complemented repurposed Victorian structures The restoration and transformation of Victorian... View Article

View Point: Tom Dollard of Pollard Thomas Edwards

Architect Tom Dollard from Pollard Thomas Edwards looks at the likely impact of an AECOM-led research project into creating affordable low carbon housing at scale, highlighting the potential but also the serious barriers that remain Building for 2050 is a... View Article

Beware the dark side

Johanna Elvidge from Marshalls explores new findings that reveal how users’ perceptions of safety in public spaces change depending on the time of day, and how specifiers need to take this into account During winter months, streets and public spaces... View Article

A clear-cut case for glass

While the uninterrupted aesthetics of glass balustrades make them undeniably appealing, there are several considerations to be aware of from a safety and installation viewpoint, as Simon Boocock of CRL explains Glass is a trending material for stairs and balustrades,... View Article

Heating that’s fit for the future

The radiator industry has responded to the challenge posed by lower temperature heating systems using renewable methods, as Chris Harvey from Stelrad Radiators explains The development of lower temperature heating systems, utilising renewable heating appliances – such as ground source... View Article

A fix for high performance

Paul Brown from Swifix looks at the development of new EWI solutions that avoid old timber methods and combine performance with aesthetic appeal The external wall insulation industry has accelerated in importance for architects, developers, contractors and consumers alike, and... View Article

Practice Profile: Benedetti Architects

Although only established in 2016, London-based Benedetti Architects already has a clutch of high-profile projects under its belt. ADF’s Tom Boddy speaks to the practice’s founder Renato Benedetti about the journey so far Renato Benedetti’s background is, he says, a... View Article

Back up to the surface in ‘23

A well-established part of the design calendar for nearly 20 years, the Surface Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre from 7-9 February to again showcase the best in materials innovation for specifiers The Surface Design Show provides the... View Article

Futurebuild: sustainable ideas & inspiration

Taking place from 7-9 March at London’s ExCeL, Futurebuild’s three day programme will educate and inform across the entire spectrum of sustainability issues “Reaching net zero by 2050 is no simple task and no one person or company has all... View Article

Open to new ideas

Breaking the mould as a highly flexible coworking space open to the whole of Cambridge University, Jestico + Whiles’ socially-focused building helps present a more public face while supporting new collaborations Although only a couple of miles from the heart... View Article

Safe, inclusive bathrooms are the future

Bathrooms can be a danger zone and entirely unsuitable for disabled people in many homes across the UK. Stuart Reynolds from AKW, explores the challenges facing both landlords and tenants and considers solutions to the problem When is a house... View Article

The creative spark in boilers

Adam Taylor from Beesley & Fildes, discusses the potential of electric boilers as an affordable, easy to install alternative to both gas and air source heat pumps The energy cap for domestic properties is due to rise on 1 April... View Article