The case for designing in structural timber

Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association (STA) takes a look at the variety of factors behind a ‘clear direction of travel’ towards designing with timber. Within the context of net zero, decarbonising building stock has become an imperative, both... View Article

From 19th century roofs to 21st century facades

Jonathan Lowy of VM Zinc traces the architectural history of zinc, from its European origins to a modern role in durable, sustainable building envelopes. In 1811, a roofer in Liège tried something radical; he installed the world’s first rolled zinc... View Article

New power generation

The transformation of one of the UK’s first electricity power stations into a vibrant youth centre combines a respect for industrial heritage with a high voltage interior that’s designed to excite its teenage users. Stephen Cousins reports. Youngsters are of... View Article
View Point: Rabia Charef and Frantz Gault

View Point: Rabia Charef and Frantz Gault

Rabia Charef of Lancaster University, and sociologist and author Frantz Gault, invite designers to rethink how we build – and shift from a human-centred mindset to one where nature is a partner, not just a resource. What if architects and... View Article

elementalLONDON debuts!

19-20 November. Excel London ElementalLONDON is a new event coming to London’s Excel on 19-20 November 2025. This new exhibition  for London is focused on the twin aims of advancing building efficiency and decarbonisation. The 4,000 attendees expected at elementalLONDON encompass... View Article

A healthy new life

Lidingödoktorn Health Centre, Sweden White Arkitekter reimagined the historic AGA factory in Stockholm as a healthcare centre that echoes the quality heritage of its predecessor with a sustainability-focused and person-centred building. Alexandra Pratt reports. The relocation of the Lidingödoktorn Health... View Article

The embodiment of quality?

Reyan Clarey of CA Group discusses the challenge facing the industry of balancing embodied carbon targets against design quality in the race to net zero. Decision makers are looking for a simple metric by which to measure products’ sustainability credentials.... View Article

Reporting on the future

Dorothe Kessels and Thomas Eurlings of Forbo Flooring Systems discuss how trend reports are helping to shape the future of design, helping architects create spaces that meet modern expectations and inspire creativity. Trends are a crucial part of the architectural... View Article

High performance

GT3 Architects’ new Passivhaus leisure centre in Staines has set a new bar for larger leisure projects in terms of both community engagement and building performance. Roseanne Field reports. A leisure centre built in the Surrey town of Staines has... View Article

That’s a wrap

The rare chance to create a new film and TV studio complex from scratch in the UK, equipped with the high performance and flexibility credentials to attract Hollywood, was perfect casting for Scott Brownrigg. Roseanne Field reports. The plans for... View Article

Practice Profile: Fereday Pollard

Kim Neville speaks to practice co-founder Chris Pollard to uncover how the privately-owned firm, turning 30 this year, specialises in large-scale infrastructure projects with the differentiator of putting ‘humanising architecture’ at the forefront. Fereday Pollard was established in 1995 by... View Article

View Point: Dr Stephen Hamil

Dr Stephen Hamil of NBS explains why better data standards and Digital Product Passports are vital to fix the industry’s fragmented systems and safeguard its future. For several years now, UK construction has been beset by issues around material quality,... View Article

Connecting the dots

Tom Reynolds of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association explains why joined-up thinking in bathroom design is vital, and how collaboration across the sector can drive innovation, sustainability, and smarter regulation. It may be a small space in the grand scheme of... View Article

Engineering-out structural emissions early

Jack Brunton and Ioana Price of AECOM explore how designers can redefine carbon calculations by assessing carbon at the early design and optioneering stage. The built environment is a significant contributor to the UK’s carbon emission and is responsible for... View Article

Canary conservation

Ruth Slavid reports on how Buckley Gray Yeoman successfully pursued the most sustainable option for a real estate client in Canary Wharf – reusing one of the site’s original offices with a BREEAM Outstanding refurb, enhanced by some striking cladding.... View Article

Practice Profile: AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis is a firm that has redefined architectural practice, blending engineering precision with people-centred design, with sustainability and collaboration to the fore. Kim Neville reports. AtkinsRéalis’ journey began with an unorthodox move, establishing an architecture arm within what was formerly... View Article

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025

Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else in the world. It’s no surprise, then, that Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) has become a globally recognised platform for the design community to come together... View Article

Union City Blu

The new Radisson Blu hotel in the heart of Sheffield is a union of old and new, with HLM restoring and retaining a Victorian facade plus adding a major volume and maximising views over the adjacent public realm. James Parker... View Article

Practice Profile: ECD Architects

Founded in 1980 as Energy Conscious Design, the subsequently abbreviated ECD Architects merged energy research with architectural practice. It later joined multi-disciplinary construction ‘one stop shop’ N-able Group in 2007, which was in turn recently acquired by the RSK Group... View Article

It’s all happening at UK Construction Week London

UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s No.1 construction destination, is gearing up for its milestone 10th anniversary edition from 07-09 May at Excel London – set to be its biggest and most expansive event yet. For the first time, UKCW... View Article