Cabinet approves five-year Housing Strategy for Barking and Dagenham

Barking and Dagenham Council’s Cabinet approved a new five-year Housing Strategy yesterday (Monday 16 February), setting out a bold plan to deliver more affordable homes, raise standards across the borough’s housing stock, tackle tough sleeping and homelessness, and support residents... View Article

BAL Waterproof 1C passes EAD certification

BAL Waterproof 1C – the one-coat ready-mixed waterproofing system – has received EAD certification for use on NHBC-approved housebuilding sites. In January last year, NHBC the UK’s leading provider of warranty and insurance for new homes in the UK implemented... View Article

Your Site Signs Costs Just Dropped

Great news for anyone who relies on clear, durable, professional construction site signage; your 2026 site sign costs just got a whole lot cheaper! At Stocksigns, we believe great signs shouldn’t come with inflated prices, which is why we’re kicking... View Article

Haddonstone and Shorewood Homes lay the foundations for a firm relationship

The prestigious Brunswick Gardens development in Winchester exemplifies the harmony between classical inspiration and contemporary living, an approach that aligns perfectly with Haddonstone’s own heritage in architectural cast stone. Through close collaboration with Shorewood Homes, Haddonstone provided a suite of... View Article

Clay brick in contemporary design

Robert Flello at the Brick Development Association explores how clay bricks combine tradition with design flexibility, offering architects greater freedom. Few materials have shaped the built environment as profoundly as clay brick. Recognisable across centuries of construction, it embodies continuity,... View Article

The growth of biophilic offices

Laura Light, Concept Design Team Leader at Interface, explains how incorporating biophilic design in the workplace beyond planting alone can not only promote wellbeing for staff, but also nurture productivity for clients. Organisations are increasingly acknowledging that workplace design plays... View Article

Getting ahead of the standards

Bradley Hirst of Knauf Insulation explains why designers must uplift thermal standards ahead of the Future Homes Standard, in order to futureproof homes. The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is still working its way through consultation at the time of writing,... View Article

Heating and cooling have to be part of the masterplan

David Patrick at Dimplex explains why key decisions around heating, hot water and comfort cooling must now be considered holistically at the masterplanning stage – including electricity load implications – rather than left until detailed design. For architects working on... View Article

Protect your Project with the right insurance from the start

From the moment you exchange contracts, you’re responsible for your plot and anyone on site. Standard home insurance won’t cover new‑build or self‑build projects, leaving you exposed to costly risks. Why You Need Specialist Site Insurance Standard home insurance typically... View Article

UK Boxings cover exposed pipework quickly and easily

Pipe boxing from UK Boxings provide a simple, practical and economic solution for concealing, heating system, boiler, and fire sprinkler pipework while also helping reduce installation time and save money on site. Widely used in ongoing RMI programmes to cover interior heating... View Article