Framing the MMC challenge

David Atkinson at Metsec explores why harnessing digitalisation and lightweight steel framing can maximise the benefits of MMC as the industry pursues its various goals The UK construction industry faces a challenge to improve the availability, quality and affordability of... View Article

Reclaiming bespoke’s role

Sourcing bricks and roof tiles for period renovations are a challenge for architects looking to balance aesthetic appeal, regulatory compliance, and heritage requirements. Nigel Dyer of Wienerberger proposes an alternative to reclaimed products External brickwork and roof tiles are critical... View Article

Aluminium: The best for balconies?

With combustible materials banned in the external walls of high-rise buildings, the industry has had to adjust to a new design environment, however as AliDeck’s Richard Izzard explains, it hasn’t always been a smooth transition for balconies. In the wake... View Article

The levelling-up agenda

Neil Sanders of F. Ball and Co talks through the steps to ensuring a flawless finish when installing floorcoverings using Luxury Vinyl Tiles. The increasing quality and variety of Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) and their suitability for a wide range... View Article

What makes a good paving surface?

If you’re thinking of upgrading an existing paving surface or simply designing a new hard landscape area, how do you know which is the right one? Alasdair McMillan from Sureset looks at the options available Before deciding on your paving... View Article

The next generation of Spandrel Panels

Glass structures dominate the skylines of UK cities, offering excellent views, enhanced internal daylighting and visual impact. An essential part of these curtain wall facades is the area between the glazing panels – the spandrel zone. Spandrel panels are designed... View Article

Home Styling – Versatile underfoot

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Choosing tiled flooring can have major design benefits, but there are decisions to get right. Here Jo Oliver of Stone & Ceramic Warehouse provides the robust case for porcelain Flooring serves as the foundation for your interior... View Article

A clear set of challenges

The glazing industry, like many others, faced unprecedented issues with availability of materials and extending lead times during 2021. David Clarke of ID Systems explains why these challenges are likely to continue for the foreseeable future The Covid-19 pandemic saw... View Article

Internal glazing, safely

Cath McLean of Promat UK gives a technical breakdown on why the latest generation of fire resistant glazing allows internal glass elements to be designed to deliver multiple performance benefits – without compromising safety Creating safe buildings is an absolute... View Article

Keep an eye on the sky

With climate change at the forefront of everyone’s mind, Natalie Goodridge of Lamilux UK looks at how buildings and their components – such as skylights – need to be futureproofed and designed to withstand extreme weather events Residential, industrial and... View Article

Switch up your space

Whether you favour open plan living or more defined living spaces, most building users are fans of natural light. Susan Sinden from ESG looks at some clever ways to allow maximum light and best use of space, by using switchable... View Article

The sky’s the limit with glass, but play it safe!

Justin Seldis of Sunsquare looks at why glass has become the building material of choice for architects, but also explains why it’s never been more important to put safety and security first as designs get bigger and more elaborate Glass... View Article

The final curtain?

Alex Cooke of Kingspan Light + Air looks at why polycarbonate curtain walling solutions are being specified as an alternative to glass across various building types Glittering glazed buildings are a popular sight in many of our towns and cities.... View Article

A clear vision

The versatility of glass made it the right choice for SOM to create curved facades with maximum transparency, in a complex mixed-use development on one of Manhattan’s last undeveloped sites. Roseanne Field reports Manhattan’s West Side Yard, a rail yard... View Article

Paving the way for nature

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Chris Hodson of Interpave discusses why concrete block permeable paving (CBPP) is a key sustainable drainage system (SuDS) technique Extensive new tree planting with provision for long-term nurturing is now a requirement for developments, with new government... View Article

A heart of oak

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Already in receipt of several awards, Hornsey Rise in Leicestershire was developed to meet strong demand for luxury detached homes with a more ‘intimate’ community feel. Lee Harris of developer Springbourne Homes explains to Jack Wooler how... View Article

The outlook for glazing trends in 2022

LISTEN HERE 🔊 After some significant recent industry impacts including Covid and net zero targets, John McComb from Reynaers Aluminium uk looks at five key glazing specification trends and how it’s responding to them. During these undoubtedly uncertain times, it... View Article

Purposefully porous

As a SuDS expert, Chris Griffiths of Marshalls explains why he is committed to bringing the approach into schemes using porous solutions to manage surface water in an increasingly challenging environmental context The latest State of the UK Climate report... View Article