Addressing the construction climate emergency

Listen here Tom Bovan of Armatherm looks at the carbon agenda in the light of 2020 and 2050 emissions targets, and how insulation advances are key to innovating in building envelopes to assist the sector towards its goals In recent... View Article

Groundworks for private pumping stations

Listen here When gravity drainage from a property is not possible, a pumping station is usually required to pump wastewater and sewage to the public sewer. David Johnson of Pump Technology explores the correct specifications for pumping stations For single... View Article

Looks that last

Listen here Matthew Brook of Moduleo explains how luxury vinyl floors can help to ‘futureproof’ a property According to the Hiscox Renovations and Extensions Report 2018, 53 per cent of homeowners have carried out home improvement projects in the last... View Article

Finishes for the future

Listen here Steve Grimwood of Osmo UK provides an insight into the various benefits of wood flooring, and why specifiers should choose natural finish options Wooden flooring is a beautiful feature of any home, but it is important to understand... View Article

Getting rainscreen (bracket) details right

Listen here As rainscreens continue their popularity in both new builds and retrofits, David Fraser of SFS discusses the finer details behind these building envelope systems, and how correct bracket specification simplifies complex challenges There’s no doubt that rainscreens are... View Article

Practice Profile: Samira Rathod Design Atelier

James Parker finds out how the award-winning firm of Indian architect Samira Rathod pursues its goals of creating sensual, context-focused beauty using locally-sourced natural materials Mumbai-based architect Samira Rathod attended the renowned Sir J. J. College of Architecture in the... View Article

Addressing a national problem

Nicolas Maari of multi-disciplinary firm Pellings looks at the challenges for designers around providing interim accommodation for the homeless Homelessness is an ongoing and growing problem, with the number of homeless people increasing by a third between 2012 and 2018.... View Article

Automatic for the people

Listen here. Ken Price of the Automatic Door Suppliers Association looks at how access control is fast becoming part of a bigger ‘automatic solution’ – linking access control with automatic doors for improved safety, security and smart facilities management You... View Article

Sustainable surfaces

Listen here. Permeable external surfaces provide the starting point for sustainable surface water drainage (also known as SuDS), but concrete block permeable paving offers far more than flood prevention, explains Chris Hodson of Interpave It’s over three years since the... View Article

BREEAM Awards 2020

ADF previews the shortlisted entries for the BREEAM Awards which presents the best in international construction sustainability, and features a new ‘personal’ award for 2020 The annual BREEAM Awards, says their organiser BRE, showcases “the most innovatively sustainable BREEAM rated... View Article

Be the catalyst for change

The organisers of FutureBuild 2020 are looking to inspire architects to join fellow industry leaders and innovators at this year’s event to be the “catalyst for change” that’s needed to help deliver a more sustainable built environment Futurebuild’s conference returns... View Article

Ask the Architect: Alberto Basaglia

Alberto Basaglia, co-founder of Italian firm Basaglia + Rota Nodari Studio, answers ADF’s questions on what influences his designs, the importance of balance, and sustainability Why did you become an architect? When I was a kid, I made a sofa-exercise-bike... View Article

Bold as brass

Listen here. The project architect in charge of a new architecturally adventurous flagship retail store in the German city of Wuppertal explains to Jack Wooler how the practice went about revitalising a large brownfield site, and created a unique retail... View Article

Two views of the river

Listen here. A new pier has opened for the Thames’ main river taxi which provides new public space as well as vital transport infrastructure, in a design which divides the structure into two to make the most of its location.... View Article

Sound advice on architectural glazing

Enhanced acoustic requirements are becoming a commonplace consideration in contract documents, says Mark Hargreaves of Technal, who discusses glazing strategies to mitigate noise and the correct approach to acoustic design As a main element to most buildings, the glazed openings... View Article

Getting to grips with daylighting

Listen here. Gary Dean of OnLevel UK explores the importance of daylighting in building design and the benefits of specifying glass clamps to help facilitate it Ensuring your home, workplace or recreational space maximises the use of natural light is... View Article

Lighting the way to sustainability

William McDowell of Hambleside Danelaw explains how recent innovations in GRP rooflights can help specifiers contribute towards BREEAM and sustainability It is impossible to be unaware of the drive to increase our sustainability in building design. However, many architects are... View Article

Glass built to last

Susan Sinden of ESG Group explains why glass advances make the material one of the most versatile for creating modern, attractive and secure environments Toughened glass was an important development early in the 20th Century – because it shattered into... View Article

A clearer view of safety

Listen here. Among the functions performed by glass and glazing systems as part of the building envelope, fire safety and protecting lives are critical. Darren Wainwright of SE Controls explains systems’ roles in addressing smoke control and compliance issues Within... View Article