Beat the heat

Jason Bennett of Zehnder Group UK discusses ways to address the risk of overheating in homes, as summer temperatures begin to rise The way we build our homes has changed. Allowing more natural light to enter the home – along... View Article

What lies beneath?

Julian Thurbin of Wallbarn explores the key factors to consider when specifying the infrastructure beneath decking or paving that may be hidden, but is essential A well-designed, specified and installed decking or paving area can form the crowning glory of... View Article

Ascending to
greatness

Young couple Lianne and James took the design of their home into their own hands, despite a challenging steep plot in Neath, South Wales, and managed to take full advantage of their surroundings while offering a residence that worked well... View Article

Skilling up to design sustainable timber buildings

  Andrew Orriss from the Structural Timber Association says that with the Government’s Timber in Construction Policy Roadmap pinpointing skills as one of the key themes to address, the industry needs to take a series of steps According to the... View Article

Ask the Architect: Jane Duncan

Former RIBA president, founder of her own practice and recipient of an OBE for diversity, Jane Duncan answers ADF’s questions about what continues to inspire her What was the highlight of your career as a designer? Most of my professional... View Article

From standard ’80s to solar temple

Ruth Slavid reports on how Scott Brownrigg salvaged the ‘bones’ of a typical 1980s commercial building in Bristol to create an understated, sleek facility with greater capacity, and passive design measures to sustain it into the future The new Aztec... View Article

Why door and window colour matters

Victoria Brocklesby of Origin discusses the impact of colour when choosing doors and windows, and its importance in design decisions For self-builders and renovators, the decisions are endless: layouts, materials, and of course, aesthetics. One element that can be overlooked,... View Article

How to create a light-filled home

Whether it is a renovation, an extension or a complete new-build, creating a finished home filled with natural light starts with the design. Edward Stobart of IDSystems explains more We know that bright, light-filled spaces within a home are appealing... View Article

A long time coming

For Paula and David Matthews, creating their dream home began back in the late 90s when they first bought their house, completing decades of good (and not-so-good) alterations before finally unlocking its full potential TEXT HEATHER DIXON IMAGES PAULA &... View Article

Ask the expert – The art of colour selection

Choosing the right paint colours for different rooms is more than just a matter of aesthetics – it’s about understanding how colours interact with light, influence mood, and create a sense of continuity. Dulux Heritage’s Dawn Scott paints in some... View Article

How housing providers can support tenants effectively

Martin Brown of FM Outsource, explores how housing providers can develop tailored customer service strategies that tackle sensitive concerns and meet tenants’ needs effectively Social housing has been cast into the spotlight in recent years, with tragic stories of those... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Kitchens/dining rooms

Arguably one of the biggest purchases of your project, choosing the right kitchen/dining area is paramount. Explore our collection of dining tables, kitchens, and accessories and find inspiration for the heart of your home   1. The Dalani Dining Table... View Article

The handmade tale

Jason Hughes of Imperial Bricks looks at how architects are embracing the opportunities offered by the latest ranges in brick products, blends and finishes Bricks have long been used by architects to add interest to ‘basic construction.’ Durable and practical,... View Article

Scots take the Passivhaus road with new standard

This Summer, the Scottish Government is due to consult on the “Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard,” as a compulsory requirement for all new homes. This represents a significant shift, with modelling from the Passivhaus Trust suggesting that heating demand... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

Jo and Andrew’s dream New England-style home on the Dorset coast is finally taking shape after years of planning woes, and their original builder dropping out a week before demolition began! Jo takes up the story… When we purchased our... View Article

Design your very own ‘Wonderwall’

Interior designer Judith Harrop describes how with careful design, you can make a media wall for all your home entertainment needs that’s an integral part of your interior design, and provides the right balance of aesthetics and function The term... View Article

Wetland wonder

Simon Roberts and Sarah Bruml managed to achieve their innovative, sustainable and flood-resilient cabin on a highly sensitive site next to a tidal creek and natural wetland in Southwold, thanks to a bedded-in design TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES DAVID VALINSKY Serendipity... View Article

Ready, steady, play!

Andrew Wood of ESP Play discusses the importance for the physical and mental health of children of planning inclusive and high quality playgrounds Ensuring equitable access to inclusive and high quality play spaces is crucial for nurturing healthy, resilient communities.... View Article

A digital approach to life safety systems

The duty of the Accountable Person, outlined in the Building Safety Act, is to take all reasonable steps to prevent building safety risks. Here, Nelson Godinho of SE Controls, outlines what is required and how a truly digitised approach helps... View Article

An education in aesthetics

Flooring in education is becoming a question of aesthetics, with schools and colleges giving more consideration to its importance in creating inspiring learning environments. Jake Parks of IVC Commercial explains how great design plus safety and practicality can be achieved... View Article