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

Back to the surface in 2022!

Following the cancellation of 2021’s entry, the Surface Design Show returns to the Business Design Centre in London from 8-10 February, exploring innovation The design industry will once again be able to meet in person and get updated on the latest surface materials... View Article

Fireproof balconies

Fire safety in residential multi-occupancy buildings is a key issue of our times. We spoke to Richard Izzard of AliDeck to find out more about successful fire safety remediation of balconies. Leaseholders and building owners up and down the country... View Article

Prioritising air quality

John Moss of EnviroVent looks at the issue of ventilation in social housing and how we may be failing a generation by not addressing it properly. Now the lockdown restrictions have been removed, employees, school pupils and social housing professionals are... View Article

Installing trust

Adrian Pavey of Nationwide Windows and Doors argues that social housing professionals need to think about more than just the final product. It’s easy for installation companies who work in the private sector to have a tunnel-vision approach of focusing... View Article

Put cladding to the test

As members of the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT), Aneira Beament of Ash & Lacy discusses standard test methods for rainscreen cladding systems. In recent years, the construction industry has stepped up its scrutiny of testing, quality, certification... View Article

The importance of boiler specification

Martyn Bridges of Worcester Bosch outlines the future of safety and sustainability in the boiler market. Over the last 20 to 30 years, boilers have become extremely safe appliances to have in your home, particularly since the advent of Condensing... View Article

Ventilation in hospitals: how to address the new guidance

by Roy Jones, Technical Director @ Gilberts Blackpool Creation, refurbishment and upgrading of healthcare facilities is facing interesting times. The Government has ramped up plans to build new hospitals and now announced additional funding  for operating theatres, to increase their... View Article

Stoves and chimneys working as one

Dennis Milligan of The British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA) explores the upcoming requirements for stoves, and the best design, installation and maintenance techniques to ensure their best performance. Next year will see Defra introduce the requirement for Ecodesign... 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 heated debate

The department for business, energy and Industrial Strategy has released a paper outlining how Britain can cost-effectively electrify its heating system. Nick Gander and Rod Davies of Energy Carbon argue that Ministers are missing a trick. At the time of... View Article

The case for SIPs

Jim Nolan at hemsec Manufacturing discusses the case for adopting structural insulated panels (SIPs) to create more thermally-efficient superstructures in the housebuilding sector. The superstructure of a building – the frame, or its load-bearing framework including walls, main floor and... 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

Cornish past and future

Intended to perfectly synthesise the historical and contemporary, The Nest is a boutique development that has just been launched in a picturesque Cornish village. Jack Wooler spoke to Paul Stephens of Stephens + Stephens on the design and restoration processes... View Article

Quintain wins at Wembley

The 743-home Canada Gardens development – the latest step in Wembley Park’s major regeneration journey – is now occupied. ​​Julian Tollast at Quintain Living explores the lessons from the project so far with Jack Wooler, plus the wider benefits of... View Article

MMC: The only way to meet demand

With UK housing targets yet to be met, Chris Williams of Green Life Buildings (GLB) discusses how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are the smart solution to pick up the shortfall. If we are going to hit the 300,000 properties... View Article

Futureproofing windows and doors

Adrian Pavey of Nationwide Windows and Doors discusses the importance of housebuilders and developers ensuring their properties’ fenestration meets the standards of tomorrow as well as today It is a pivotal time for the construction industry at the moment, and... View Article

Water savings in the balance

Richard Bateman at RWC UK looks at how thermal balancing valves help minimise water waste in larger buildings, as the pressure grows to save resources Wasting water is a particular problem in big buildings that use recirculating hot water systems... View Article