Futurebuild teams up with GIGA to spotlight Mindful Materials

In an exclusive first for the UK built environment events sector, Futurebuild has announced a partnership with GIGA, a leading organisation driving greater accessibility of international building product certifications via cloud software. GIGA’s product Origin Material Hub places a spotlight... View Article

Natural slate, natural beauty

Allan Liddell of Cupa Pizarras explores the inherent beauty, as well as the environmental credentials, of natural slate Slate is formed through the regional metamorphosis of mudstone or shale under low-grade conditions. This happens when shale or mudstone is exposed to... View Article

Airshow contractors embrace Armstrong’s recycling lead

Armstrong leads the green agenda at its sixth Farnborough International Airshow. Armstrong Ceiling Solutions has recycled more than 10,000m2 of mineral tiles from this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, the sixth time the manufacturer has provided the recycling service at the bi-annual event. This... View Article

Brick industry goes for growth

The latest ONS figures for brick production in the UK reveal a remarkable story of manufacturing investment. August 2018 saw 21 per cent more bricks being produced in the UK compared with August 2017. Compare the figure to August 2016... View Article

Park life

A major sports complex has been created in a Netherlands park to provide facilities for professional athletes as well as increase the local community’s health. Russ Davenport from FaulknerBrowns Architects spoke to Jack Wooler to discover the array of contents... View Article

Nine in corten

A row of nine new houses in a south west London street emulates aspects of its Victorian terraces – but adds some contemporary twists, most obviously in the design’s copious use of corten steel. Roseanne Field reports The houses that... View Article

Compare and contrast: steel vs aluminium

Calvin Wilson of Metal Technology looks at the relative pros and cons of steel and aluminium from a structural perspective Architects need no introduction to the benefits of metal as a structural material with design flexibility, robust performance and aesthetic... View Article

Galvanizing sustainability in construction

Andy Harrison of Wedge Group Galvanizing explores the key benefits galvanizing brings to sustainable construction, and highlights the growing number of techniques adopted by the galvanizing industry to further reduce the sector’s environmental impact Galvanizing has long been recognised as... View Article

Copper – the real thing

Despite an unrivalled heritage including use on some of our oldest buildings, continuing developments make copper and its alloys thoroughly modern and sustainable options for contemporary architecture, as Graeme Bell of Aurubis explains Copper has seen a dramatic shift from... View Article

The fast route to compliance

Steve Howard of Neaco gives his view on why there has been a revolution in balconies and decking, with the dominance of wood being usurped by aluminium Decking design is undergoing something of quiet revolution. For many years, two materials... View Article

Aluminium’s place in architecture – and human ecology

Architect Professor Michael Stacey looks at the case for aluminium, backed by ongoing research, on grounds of versatility, sustainability and durability As a light and versatile metal, aluminium has been serving humankind well since Humphry Davy identified it 200 years ago.... View Article

The challenges and pleasures of life in the Bronze Age

Architectural bronze has long been the choice for delivering a premier feel and finish to any building, but specifying it has always come with challenges. Warwick Penson of Bronze Architecture discusses the resurgence of this material and its uniquely distinctive... View Article

Setting the standards for structural timber

Structural Timber Association board member and managing director for Kingspan Timber Solutions and Potton, Mark Stevenson answers self-builders’ queries on how to use structural timber, and why solutions are increasingly likely to be factory-built. The Structural Timber Association (STA) has... View Article

The rise and rise of concrete facing bricks

Craig Mcbride of Tobermore tracks the rise in popularity of concrete facing bricks, explaining how they satisfy the needs of housebuilders facing unprecedented demand across the Uk. We all remember the story of the Three Little Pigs from childhood. When... View Article

Technical challenges of glass for megatall buildings

Glass for megatall buildings (i.e. skyscrapers over 600 metres high) often tends to be taken for granted in terms of its technical functions. Yet the high-tech, high strength glazing that covers today’s megatall buildings – such as the Burj Khalifa... View Article