The impact of Martyn’s Law on secure door specification

Rob Mottram at Robust UK examines the door specification implications of Martyn’s Law (AKA the Terrorism Act 2025), in larger educational and public venues. Martyn’s Law – formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – received Royal... View Article

Specify, install, demonstrate

Simon Buckmaster at James Hardie discusses how the Building Safety Act has reshaped facade installation, from fire classification and product selection to competence, documentation and the need to rigorously specify, install and evidence work done. The Building Safety Act has... View Article

Unlocking design ambition with offsite brick slip detailing

Meka Ewurum at Keystone explores how offsite manufactured brick slip features are enabling architects and specifiers to combine traditional masonry detailing with fast, precise construction for distinctively detailed results. Brick remains one of the defining materials of British architecture. Its... View Article

Specifying staircases for listed buildings

Richard Harding at British Spirals & Castings discusses best practice for specifying staircases in listed buildings, from conservation principles and material selection to regulatory compliance and modern surveying techniques. Historic buildings are an important part of the UK’s architectural landscape,... View Article

Sliding door specification for Passivhaus homes

Justin Spires at Solarlux UK explores how high-performance sliding doors can help Passivhaus and energy efficient homes achieve demanding thermal standards without compromising daylight, design or connection to nature. In the current architectural landscape, large areas of glazing are a... View Article

Overheating: why prevention should come before cooling

As overheating becomes an increasing challenge, Stuart Dantzic of Caribbean argues that architects should put passive measures such as external shading ahead of mechanical cooling. The Environmental Investigation Agency’s recent report, UK Cooling Policy in a Warming World, should prompt... View Article

Ask the Expert: Luke Osborne

James Parker speaks to Luke Osborne at Senior Architectural Systems, about why greater transparency in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) is essential to help architects make informed specification decisions. Why does the fenestration industry need a more transparent, evidence based approach?... View Article

The final member of the Shard family earns its Place

Albert Giralt of Renzo Piano Building Workshop reflects on Shard Place, the final piece of the Shard Quarter, and how its design completes a 25-year vision for London Bridge. Almost 25 years have passed since Renzo Piano Building Workshop was... View Article

A greener kind of grandeur

The transformation of the former US Embassy in London into a five-star hotel by David Chipperfield Architects delivers an adaptive reuse with high-end luxury and BREEAM Outstanding sustainability credentials, despite whole life carbon compromises, says Stephen Cousins. At a time... View Article

Ask the Architect: Benedict Zucchi

Benedict Zucchi, chair of BDP’s Global Board, speaks to ADF about his design philosophy, the role of architecture as a civic art, and how collaboration, context and sustainability will shape the profession. After spending more than 30 years at BDP,... View Article

A visit to a volcano

A redesigned visitor centre in a remote part of Iceland saw a collaboration between British and Icelandic practices to immerse visitors in the landscape, provide an engaging exhibition, and protect users from a harsh climate. Roseanne Field reports. The volcanic... View Article

Commercially sensitive

Jemma Saunders at Crown Paints says colour has long been seen as a ‘finishing touch’ in commercial settings, but it is key to get it right for increasingly multi-purpose spaces. Colour shapes how a space feels and how well it... View Article

Practice Profile: Nissen Richards Studio

Since establishing their ‘wife and husband’-led practice in 2010, Pippa Nissen and Jim Richards have cemented a reputation for translating narrative into spatial experience. Kim Neville spoke to them about their creativity, collaboration and continual learning. Nissen Richards Studio was... View Article

Commercial cool comfort

Steve Molloy from Daikin explores how well-designed HVAC systems can contribute to thermally resilient commercial buildings as the Earth continues to warm. With four of the UK’s hottest years on record occurring between 2022 and 2025, the conversation around climate... View Article

The case for an evidence base

Adam Boumnaia from product testing laboratory Attain RTC details the exhaustive methods used to help translate fire test results into reliable, evidence-based applications under the UK’s evolving standards framework. In recent years, the UK construction sector has transitioned from historic... View Article

A different view of durability

Manuela Fazzan at wienerberger UK explores why adaptable as well as durable housing design is essential for future resilience in the housing sector, as demands evolve. Current housing specifications are often driven by immediate compliance targets, but the future of... View Article

Entering a safer future

Darren Hyde at the Automatic Door Suppliers Association says architects can balance architectural vision with the competing demands of safety, security and accessibility when designing modern building entrances. Entrances are among the most defining elements of architecture. They frame the... View Article

Designing out water waste

Washrooms are a significant source of water waste; early design decisions can determine how buildings perform for decades, so specifications must tackle both usage and leakage to reduce consumption. Richard Braid at Cistermiser explains. Energy performance has long dominated design... View Article

Hybrid education theory

Louise McHugh at Breathing Buildings puts the case for hybrid natural/mechanical ventilation to balance air quality and energy efficiency, to support school learning. The publication of updated Government guidance in February 2026 has reinforced the importance of ventilation in education... View Article