View Point: Sonia Travis of Nordan

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Following June’s significant changes to Part L, Nordan’s Sonia Travis reviews the implications for window specification, and aluminium-clad timber in particular The state-of-the-art demonstration COP26 Zero-Carbon House at last year’s international COP26 climate conference in Glasgow was... View Article

In celebration of regulation

Dr Jonathan Evans from Ash & Lacy says that, far from stifling innovation in envelope design and cavity trays, the recent safety regulations actually put the UK on the verge of a ‘meritocracy’ that will benefit future buildings Contained in... View Article

Creative cavities

The requirement for an open cavity in ventilated facade systems can present a challenge when it comes to ensuring the passive fire safety of the building envelope. Graham Laws from Siderise Insulation looks at the issues, and suggests solutions Also... View Article

Ask the Architect: Festus Moffat

LISTEN HERE Festus Moffat, director at John Robertson Architects (JRA), answers ADF’s questions on his motivations, and his practice’s future plans What made you want to become an architect? Growing up, I was always interested in drawing, and in art,... View Article

View Point: Michael Riebel of Hawkins\Brown

Architect and researcher at Hawkins\Brown, Michael Riebel describes a study that found how, compared with other commercial uses, creative workspace can be a vital ‘good neighbour’ that adds quantifiable value to residential schemes Like most large cities with high property... View Article

Practice Profile: Michael Kendrick Architects

Michael Kendrick explains how he navigated Covid to found a practice with what would be an award-winning approach to designing high-quality, sustainable homes Michael Kendrick has a background working in relatively large design firms such as Glenn Howells Architects and... View Article

Site Lines: A renewed focus on resilience

With demolishing structures being a carbon-intensive pursuit, Trevor Morriss, principal at architects SPPARC, explains why buildings must be constructed to stand the test of time as we race to reach carbon goals The embodied carbon released when a building is... View Article

High-quality student accommodation on the rise

Nicola Ball of architects KKA says that as universities face greater competition to attract students from both home and abroad, accommodation has become an important differentiator, which has led to standards rising across the country Student accommodation is not what... View Article

Flexible rooms for future learning

Neil Miller from QIC Trims looks at how the flexibility needed in modern education environments can be achieved by specifying glass partitions, meaning that teachers can be relieved of the need to alter the contents of a space A glass partition’s... View Article

Ask the Manufacturer: The building blocks of success

To celebrate the family firm’s 75th anniversary, ADF contributor Jack Wooler talks to Giles de Lotbiniere, Chairman of block manufacturer Lignacite, about the company’s foundation, and what makes it special In 1947, retired ex-serviceman and engineer, Sir Edmond de Lotbiniere,... View Article

View Point: Alex Thomas

LISTEN HERE 🔊 As the gaps on our high streets grow, it’s time to future-proof them for the growing cohort of tech-enabled and eco-conscious customers by harnessing the potential of digital venues, says Alex Thomas from HKS Architects There is... View Article

Ask the Architect: Melanie Jacobsen Cox

LISTEN HERE 🔊 The new head of healthcare at HLM, Melanie Jacobsen Cox, answers ADF’s questions on what makes her tick What made you want to become an architect? I have construction in my blood through my grandfather and dad,... View Article

Practice Profile: THISS Architects

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Looking to carve out a niche as a new practice, THISS Architects focus on craftsmanship, collaboration, and landscape with a goal of ensuring that no two projects are ever the same. The firm’s founders explain their working... View Article

Ask the Architect: Liz Leber

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Liz Leber, managing partner of New York practice Beyer Blinder Belle, drives her firm to work with clients who have a clear “mission”, but also strives to extract their core project objectives. She explains the “creativity, pragmatism,... View Article

Health and wellbeing at work

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Architects Saunders have designed what will be one of the most sustainable business parks in the UK, with the focus on sustainable construction and healthy lifestyles for staff. Managing director Martin Williams explains why it is an... View Article

Practice Profile: Studio Fōr

Architect Fauzia Khanani uses her role as studio principal at New York City’s Studio Fōr to combat inequality, including in architecture itself. However, as she tells James Parker, it was never her ambition to found a practice Based in New... View Article

The sky’s the limit with glass, but play it safe!

Justin Seldis of Sunsquare looks at why glass has become the building material of choice for architects, but also explains why it’s never been more important to put safety and security first as designs get bigger and more elaborate Glass... View Article

The final curtain?

Alex Cooke of Kingspan Light + Air looks at why polycarbonate curtain walling solutions are being specified as an alternative to glass across various building types Glittering glazed buildings are a popular sight in many of our towns and cities.... View Article

Viewpoint: Russell Pedley of Assael Architecture

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Russell Pedley of Assael Architecture looks at how the humble beginnings of build-to-rent has led to a new design sector and an investor’s dream, but also challenges for project teams from out-of-date standards The history of build-to-rent... View Article