Minimising fire risk on the ‘fifth facade’

Will Wigfield from Rockwool shares best practice advice on how to limit fire risk in flat roof constructions, and explains the limitations of current testing protocols for flat roof insulation While flat roofs have long been used to house plant... View Article

Traditional is the new modern

Tom Wright of George Barnsdale explores the use of timber in ‘minimalist’ designs “We must recognise the importance of timber in overcoming our climate challenge,” David Warburton wrote to his fellow MPs recently. On paper, politicians are making the right... View Article

Test data in the frame

Steve Griffiths of Taylor Lane Timber Frame and the Structural Timber Association looks at the latest developments on fire test data in the timber frame industry, post-Grenfell For many years, the construction industry – not least the timber frame sector –... 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

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

Meshing with design goals

Bringing bespoke creativity to life in applications from cladding, ceilings and roofs, to staircases and balustrades, metal mesh is being used to push design boundaries safely and sustainably. Anthony Millington of Amron Architectural explains further Architects and designers are always... View Article

Wood you believe it?

Richard Besant of Powdertech Corby on how developments in wood finish powder coatings on aluminium are providing a popular and realistic alternative to wood, as materials shortages increase We have witnessed the increased use of architectural powder coatings to a... View Article

A copper-bottomed sustainability case

As well as wide applications in contemporary architectural design, there is more to copper than meets the eye when it comes to recyclability, sustainability and longevity, explains Graeme Bell of Aurubis Copper is a natural element found within the earth’s... View Article

Sealing concrete’s interior future

Architects and designers are broadening their concrete horizons – firmly cementing the time-honoured material’s place in ‘softer’ interior applications. Craig Bell from Osmo provides advice on maintaining its durability Trends in interior design change constantly, and it can be hard... View Article

A 1970s revival

A controversial 1970s building in the historic heart of Cheltenham has been transformed by AWW Architects to provide a contemporary mixed-use commercial development. Neil Smith from AluK reports Once a 1970s landmark in the centre of Cheltenham, but later becoming... View Article

Performance through time

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc looks back at how changes in technology have improved the manufacture of zinc over the decades to enable greater versatility and durability in today’s projects The first zinc roof was installed on St Bartholomew’s Church in Liege,... View Article

Slated for natural versatility

LISTEN HERE 🔊 David Cooke from Cupa Pizarras discusses the versatility of natural slate when it comes to aesthetics, and the resulting design freedom it offers architects, giving recent examples In an age where the environmental impact of our actions... View Article

The new stone age has arrived

Powder coatings are continually evolving with a number of aesthetic finishes demonstrating variations in colour and patination. Realistic alternatives to masonry materials such as GRC, pre-cast concrete and Portland Stone can now be realised. Not long ago, the mere prospect... View Article

It’s time to buy British

A wide range of imported timber products are now hard to come by thanks to various supply issues, but the solution is close at hand, says Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber Various timber products, including roof battens, structural timber and... View Article

Sustainability from the ground up

Catherine Helliker of Danfloor UK calls on product manufacturers to ensure they understand how they are impacting the environment, and increase their sense of social responsibility to their surroundings Product manufacturers’ philosophy should be to provide a sustainable business for... View Article

The long road to remediation

Peter Johnson of Vivalda Group discusses the progress being made on remedying the unsuitable cladding on high rise buildings, and the complex issues which have made it frustratingly slow While the frustrations of architects, contractors and residents alike regarding the... View Article

Home extension reaches Finish Line

A striking home extension is one of the first to be clad in an exclusive product from James Latham. Utilising the Finish Line Collection, a high performing timber cladding developed by Lathams with Accoya Timber, timber engineering company Dresser Mouldings... View Article