Home counties overturn plans for new housing on green fields

A swathe of councils could follow two Hertfordshire authorities who rejected their local plans in the wake of the government’s decision to reverse proposed planning reform. The construction industry fears Conservative-run Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield borough councils’ move to revise their... View Article

Minimising fire risk on the ‘fifth facade’

Will Wigfield from Rockwool shares best practice advice on how to limit fire risk in flat roof constructions, and explains the limitations of current testing protocols for flat roof insulation While flat roofs have long been used to house plant... View Article

Back to the surface in 2022!

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

Traditional is the new modern

Tom Wright of George Barnsdale explores the use of timber in ‘minimalist’ designs “We must recognise the importance of timber in overcoming our climate challenge,” David Warburton wrote to his fellow MPs recently. On paper, politicians are making the right... View Article

Test data in the frame

Steve Griffiths of Taylor Lane Timber Frame and the Structural Timber Association looks at the latest developments on fire test data in the timber frame industry, post-Grenfell For many years, the construction industry – not least the timber frame sector –... View Article

Ask the Expert: Cut your losses and save CO2

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Improving insulation is at the heart of the country’s mission to reduce CO2 emissions in new homes. Matthew Evans of Kingspan Insulation answers key questions around the materials and details to consider to avoid heat loss in... View Article

Bridging the gap in design

Improving the thermal performance of the building envelope is central to the drive for sustainability, energy efficiency and meeting the criteria for the impending Future Homes Standard. Simon Hill of Schöck considers the issues involved Critical to improving the thermal... View Article

The devil is in the brickwork detail

What are the modern techniques that enable housebuilders and developers to produce details in masonry facades that take buildings to new levels in terms of design and aesthetics? Scott Denham from IG Masonry Support investigates Deep reveals, soffits, flying beams... View Article

Offsite gets another chance

Dr Jonathan Evans of metal envelope supplier Ash & Lacy gives a counter view to the consensus on offsite, saying that in the push towards MMC there is a strong case for some key design elements remaining onsite 20 years... View Article

Protecting decorative projecting brickwork

Projecting brickwork is a popular design feature on masonry building envelopes. However, the resulting inconsistent cavity depths can add complexity when ensuring structures’ passive fire protection – Graham Laws of Siderise Insulation explains more, and describes solutions Masonry finishes have... View Article

A construction revolution

With Brexit closing the doors on many highly-skilled workers, Paul Richards of Aquarian Cladding Systems discusses the struggle to bring young people into the industry and why MMC techniques can provide a solution It’s no secret that the construction industry... View Article

Renewed sense of purpose

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Arup believes that its redevelopment of the workplace it designed in the 1990s in West London, including a refurbished facade, will save 40,000 tonnes of carbon compared with a new build approach. ADF’s Tom Boddy reports Situated... View Article

Building innovation

George Spreckley from the Brick Development Association reviews the projects shortlisted for the innovation category in this year’s Brick Awards The Brick Development Association was excited to once again host the Brick Awards after a busy but disrupted two years... View Article

Meshing with design goals

Bringing bespoke creativity to life in applications from cladding, ceilings and roofs, to staircases and balustrades, metal mesh is being used to push design boundaries safely and sustainably. Anthony Millington of Amron Architectural explains further Architects and designers are always... View Article