Features Articles

Robert Flello of the Brick Development Association (BDA) explores how locally sourced clay bricks offer a lower-carbon, resilient solution for sustainable construction, blending heritage with environmental responsibility in modern building. From residential to commercial buildings, the UK’s built environment is... View Article

Stephen Malkin of Promat UK explains why a complete system approach to fire resistant glazing design and specification is key, post-Building Safety Act. Building products of all kinds are understandably being subjected to much greater scrutiny since the publication of... View Article

New-build homes are more energy efficient, as a result are prone to overheat. Steve Pearce of Vent-Axia explores how architects can use smart ventilation strategies to combat this, and support the 2050 net zero goal. Traditionally, UK homes did not... View Article

Holly Rivers of Heckmondwike FB discusses how noise in schools impacts learning and teaching, highlighting the need for better acoustic standards and the role of carpets in creating quieter environments that allow pupils better focus. In recent years, research has... View Article

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc tracks how zinc has played a key role in iconic buildings from Paris’ monuments to modern campuses and healthcare facilities – and how this durable and highly recyclable material is now culturally recognised by UNESCO. Zinc... View Article

Vivalda discusses how a creative cladding system transformed a Northern Irish primary school, using engraved volcanic rock panels to create a striking facade that celebrates diversity, local history, and hope. Creative cladding has been instrumental in the aesthetic of a... View Article

Lisa Stephens of ROCKWOOL UK gives an update on the latest developments in wind load testing to equip buildings for the more extreme winter storms we are seeing. Across the globe, extreme weather conditions are becoming more common, with heavy... View Article

Naveed Mohammed of Inspectas Compliance looks at the critical need to make sure safety information flows from to property owners in projects, and says it’s nothing new. Having a competent, transparent and communicative project team has never been more necessary.... View Article

Steve Green of Harlequin Floors explores the critical role dance floors play in dancers’ safety and performance, highlighting the research behind creating optimal environments for longevity that support users. Professional dancers can spend hours working in a dance studio, it... View Article

Modular construction is redefining efficiency and quality in a range of sectors. Kasia Nowak of Wernick Buildings explains how it can produce sustainable and future-proof, as well as cost-effective buildings. Clients in the education, healthcare, and commercial sectors planning to... View Article

With plans for 1.5 million new homes requiring swathes of land across the country including flood plains, Richard Eddy of Polypipe Building Products discusses how SuDS could be the key for architects, as the sector enters unchartered territory. Ambitious targets... View Article

Shower toilet technology is evolving – helping reshape bathroom design, as architects embrace these multifunctional solutions. Sophie Weston of Geberit shows how they blend luxury with space efficiency and sustainability in a variety of settings. Achieving the balance between space... View Article

The careful use of colours in the kitchen shapes aesthetics, functionality, and the behaviour of users for the better. Tim Spann of Keller Kitchens explains how architects can harness colours to create spaces that inspire, energise, or calm. In the... View Article

Dan Redfern of Marley explains why Environmental Product Declarations are an essential resource for architects seeking to specify sustainable materials. With the built environment accounting for 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions, architects play a vital role in decarbonising buildings.... View Article