Light reading

James Parker reports on how a Parisian firm of architects created a highly transparent, modern multimedia library flooded with light, that feels at home in historic Bayeux The new ‘media library’ or ‘mediatheque’ serving the 30,000 citizens of Bayeux. Normandy,... View Article

Bull in the Oak

Nestled away in a hamlet just outside Market Bosworth lies what appears to be a typical Leicestershire farmstead. Except this country idyll has pushed the boundaries of design and planning and is now home to a bespoke development of five... View Article

A copper partner for corten

Phase 2 of a major residential development in Bristol is an industrially inspired block of apartments faced in copper, designed to complement a former tobacco company HQ. James Parker reports Ferguson Mann Architects (FMA) were appointed to design Urban Splash’s... View Article

GLASS ATRIUMS – DELIVERING THE LOOK, SAFELY

Glass atriums have become a key aesthetic feature of many modern commercial and office buildings. But how can architects and specifiers achieve this look, while simultaneously ensuring the comfort of occupants and compliance with fire safety regulations? Here, Andy Lake,... View Article

The home front

What will you choose for your dream home’s facade? Lisa Grosse of Cedral explains why fibre cement cladding makes a great choice, for both practical reasons and the aesthetic ‘wow’ factor As well as providing protection against heat, cold, wind,... View Article

Welsh Slate heads up Sarah Beeny’s new home

Roofing slates by Welsh Slate star in presenter’s new TV programme. Roofing slates by Welsh Slate were the material of choice for TV property expert Sarah Beeny’s own home-in-the-making which is the star of the Channel 4 series “Sarah Beeny’s... View Article

Taking the long view

Simon Storer of the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA), explains why a fabric-first approach to design, combined with a long-term outlook, is the way forward to improve future building performance and cut emissions Building for the future, with legacy in mind,... View Article

New arrivals

Making an entrance has changed – door materials have developed far beyond traditional options to offer composite alternatives which provide a wide choice of styles as well as practicality. Chantel Roach of Distinction Doors explains all PVCu panel doors, alongside... View Article

John Lewis to build 10,000 homes for rent 

Retailer John Lewis is reportedly set to construct 10,000 homes for rent over the next few years, largely utilising its existing sites. Reports in the Sunday Times said the department store chain’s move into the residential property market is being... View Article

Smooth start, perfect finish

From Peter Wilson, Setcrete Brand Manager Specifying beautiful floorcoverings for a new property can transform the appearance of a room dramatically. Today there are so many options from traditional carpet to wood, ceramic and porcelain floor tiles and, increasingly, luxury... View Article

Designs taking flight

Eric Nicholls of Spiral UK explores the different options for feature staircases available to housebuilders and developers, detailing the benefits of each. Choosing a staircase sounds easy – after all a staircase has only one function – but why should... View Article

Permanence and sustainability

Among the many benefits aluminium has to offer, Andrew Cross of Kestrel Aluminium discusses its ability to forecast the cost of maintenance over a system’s design life. With increasing pressure to specify building systems offering clearly defined sustainability, the use... View Article

Short supply

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), explores how the shortage of construction materials is constraining small builders’ ability to ‘build back better.’ Since the coronavirus pandemic, many small to medium-sized (SME) construction firms have struggled to... View Article

Steeling yourself for the future

Stuart Judge of the Steel Window Association considers the performance benefits of contemporary steel frames in terms of meeting the future challenges for housebuilding. Britain can take pride in the way its big pharmaceutical companies and top research universities responded... View Article

The safe bet for decking

William Hogg of Ecodek discusses the options for blending safety standards and sustainability with striking design when it comes to aluminium decking The specification of non-combustible building materials in the design of high-rise buildings has never been such a prevalent... View Article

Get it right on the tiles

If you are looking to specify a tiled floor, it is crucial to understand what preparation is required to ensure that new or existing floor substrates are suitable. Stuart Ross of BAL looks at the different likely substrates, and the... View Article

Timber or composite?

Deciding on the best decking option for your garden makeover can be challenging. Tony Hobbs of Southern Sheeting offers some advice to help you choose The trend for durable and premium wood plastic composite (WPC) decking is now firmly established... View Article