Wood you believe it?

Richard Besant of Powdertech Corby on how developments in wood finish powder coatings on aluminium are providing a popular and realistic alternative to wood, as materials shortages increase We have witnessed the increased use of architectural powder coatings to a... View Article

A copper-bottomed sustainability case

As well as wide applications in contemporary architectural design, there is more to copper than meets the eye when it comes to recyclability, sustainability and longevity, explains Graeme Bell of Aurubis Copper is a natural element found within the earth’s... View Article

Sealing concrete’s interior future

Architects and designers are broadening their concrete horizons – firmly cementing the time-honoured material’s place in ‘softer’ interior applications. Craig Bell from Osmo provides advice on maintaining its durability Trends in interior design change constantly, and it can be hard... View Article

Fire safety in the frame

David Atkinson from Metsec discusses the increased focus on through-wall fire testing post-Grenfell, and how steel framing systems can contribute to improved performance as well as thermal efficiency Light gauge galvanised steel framing systems (SFS) are primarily used for wall... View Article

Rolling out offsite benefits

Marian Kubisz of Adept Consulting (UK) looks at the increased specification of cold rolled steel frames in the current push for offsite construction solutions, and why system design considerations need to be brought into projects at the earliest stage Hot... View Article

A 1970s revival

A controversial 1970s building in the historic heart of Cheltenham has been transformed by AWW Architects to provide a contemporary mixed-use commercial development. Neil Smith from AluK reports Once a 1970s landmark in the centre of Cheltenham, but later becoming... View Article

Diamond life

Newfoundland, the first residential project in Canary Wharf – and London’s tallest build to rent scheme ­­– has been completed, and it’s an architectural landmark in its own right. Lead architect Billie Lee spoke to Jack Wooler about its distinctive... View Article

Performance through time

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc looks back at how changes in technology have improved the manufacture of zinc over the decades to enable greater versatility and durability in today’s projects The first zinc roof was installed on St Bartholomew’s Church in Liege,... View Article

Slated for natural versatility

LISTEN HERE 🔊 David Cooke from Cupa Pizarras discusses the versatility of natural slate when it comes to aesthetics, and the resulting design freedom it offers architects, giving recent examples In an age where the environmental impact of our actions... View Article

The new stone age has arrived

Powder coatings are continually evolving with a number of aesthetic finishes demonstrating variations in colour and patination. Realistic alternatives to masonry materials such as GRC, pre-cast concrete and Portland Stone can now be realised. Not long ago, the mere prospect... View Article

It’s time to buy British

A wide range of imported timber products are now hard to come by thanks to various supply issues, but the solution is close at hand, says Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber Various timber products, including roof battens, structural timber and... View Article

A revealing take on later life

A project in north London offers highly individualised, non-institutional retirement village design both inside and out, producing a carefully detailed brick-clad form on a challenging site. Jack Wooler reports Belle Vue is a high-end retirement community in Hampstead, London which... View Article

Sustainability from the ground up

Catherine Helliker of Danfloor UK calls on product manufacturers to ensure they understand how they are impacting the environment, and increase their sense of social responsibility to their surroundings Product manufacturers’ philosophy should be to provide a sustainable business for... View Article

The long road to remediation

Peter Johnson of Vivalda Group discusses the progress being made on remedying the unsuitable cladding on high rise buildings, and the complex issues which have made it frustratingly slow While the frustrations of architects, contractors and residents alike regarding the... View Article

Home extension reaches Finish Line

A striking home extension is one of the first to be clad in an exclusive product from James Latham. Utilising the Finish Line Collection, a high performing timber cladding developed by Lathams with Accoya Timber, timber engineering company Dresser Mouldings... View Article