View Point: Rory Bergin from HTA Design

Rory Bergin from HTA Design says that with timber under fire in the complex testing landscape post-Grenfell, specifiers are being wrongly deterred from choosing the material for taller buildings, while being asked for more sustainable designs Current amendments to Building... View Article

AGILE CABLE MANAGEMENT

The way we use workspace is changing and so must the design of power supply in these environments says David O’Flynn, Regional Specification & Contractor Manager at Marshall-Tufflex. Here David explains how applying flexible cable management solutions can help meet... View Article

Sustainable Materials and Workplace Design

Andrew Sadler, Sales Director of CTD Architectural Tiles discusses the shift towards sustainability, whilst drawing on the benefits of using recycled content within commercial projects for designers, specifiers and architects.  There has been a noticeable shift over the past few... View Article

Bridging the gap in design

Improving the thermal performance of the building envelope is central to the drive for sustainability, energy efficiency and meeting the criteria for the impending Future Homes Standard. Simon Hill of Schöck considers the issues involved Critical to improving the thermal... View Article

The devil is in the brickwork detail

What are the modern techniques that enable housebuilders and developers to produce details in masonry facades that take buildings to new levels in terms of design and aesthetics? Scott Denham from IG Masonry Support investigates. Deep reveals, soffits, flying beams... View Article

Offsite gets another chance

Dr Jonathan Evans of metal envelope supplier Ash & Lacy gives a counter view to the consensus on offsite, saying that in the push towards MMC there is a strong case for some key design elements remaining onsite 20 years... View Article

Protecting decorative projecting brickwork

Projecting brickwork is a popular design feature on masonry building envelopes. However, the resulting inconsistent cavity depths can add complexity when ensuring structures’ passive fire protection – Graham Laws of Siderise Insulation explains more, and describes solutions Masonry finishes have... View Article

A construction revolution

With Brexit closing the doors on many highly-skilled workers, Paul Richards of Aquarian Cladding Systems discusses the struggle to bring young people into the industry and why MMC techniques can provide a solution It’s no secret that the construction industry... View Article

Repositioning rain gardens

Charlotte Markey of Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation says rain gardens will be key to meeting the changes to water management in the new Environment Bill While traditional rain gardens have long been an accepted element of sustainable drainage systems... View Article

Safe and sound

Ben Hancock of Oscar Acoustics looks at the importance of employee welfare when redesigning workspaces, and the challenges involved As waves of workers are now returning to offices, employers are under increasing pressure to ensure workspaces are not just safe,... View Article

Site Lines: A natural train of thought

Irina Adam of Twelve Architects & Masterplanners describes an adaptive reuse project in Manchester which transformed a Victorian viaduct into a nature-rich public amenity The rise in prominence of cities in the global economy over the past two centuries has... View Article

A watertight wetroom

Ian Knifton of Schlüter-Systems discusses how best to approach a wetroom specification to ensure the correct design for a watertight finish Wetrooms can be a great addition to both residential properties and those within the hospitality sector. Many homeowners consider... View Article

Singapore’s central park

A major mixed-use skyscraper with a difference is approaching completion in Singapore’s central business district – the facades of this richly diverse ‘vertical city’ by Bjarke Ingels Group opens up to reveal generous and highly usable green spaces. James Parker... View Article

Renewed sense of purpose

Arup believes that its redevelopment of the workplace it designed in the 1990s in West London, including a refurbished facade, will save 40,000 tonnes of carbon compared with a new build approach. ADF’s Tom Boddy reports Situated on London’s Euston... View Article

Building innovation

George Spreckley from the Brick Development Association reviews the projects shortlisted for the innovation category in this year’s Brick Awards The Brick Development Association was excited to once again host the Brick Awards after a busy but disrupted two years... View Article

Hidden in plain sight

A new private residence overlooking a valley in the Czech Republic offers a seamless blend of expansive sight lines and privacy, but also a design that subtly disguises itself in its hilly site. Jack Wooler spoke to project architect Petr... View Article

A grand return

What’s been called the UK’s biggest festival of construction, London Build, returns in style to Olympia London’s Grand Hall for a live experience on 17 and 18 November focusing on key issues such as diversity Much more than just your... View Article

Ask the Architect: Rory Bergin

Rory Bergin, a regular contributor to ADF, is an architect and offsite specialist who set up and runs the Sustainable Futures team at HTA Design. He leads a specialist team of architects and engineers analysing building performance, and has overseen... View Article

Natural enhancements

Victoria Brocklesby at Origin shares insights on simple as well as more creative ways to maximise natural light in residential properties Natural light in a home has all kinds of benefits, including improving health and wellbeing, alongside performing the practical... View Article