Keeping an eye on the past

Architect RO&AD’s timber watchtower project in the Netherlands engaged the community in innovative ways to generate a new enthusiasm for the area’s rich history. Sébastien Reed reports Construction of the defensive West Brabant Water Line was started in 1627 by... View Article

Swimming among the timbers

A competition-level swimming pool has been constructed at a Surrey school, integrating a high level of quality in the design of its timber elements while embracing ancient woodland surroundings. Adam Cossey from the project’s architects Hawkins\Brown tells Jack Wooler how... View Article

The most sustainable material of them all

Sean Parnaby of West Port says that the timber industry is gradually winning the war against misconceptions about what he claims is not only the oldest, but the best fenestration material There’s a growing awareness that timber isn’t the expensive,... View Article

The timber revolution

Sarah Harding of Accsys Group reports on how the UK is experiencing a revolution in timber in architecture, as designers and specifiers increasingly embrace the material’s combination of beauty and environmental advantages Running earlier this year at the Roca London... View Article

The membrane method

Adam Ford and John Mellor of Protect Membranes discuss how to achieve low U-values using membrane technology with low emissivity The use of timber in construction is now seen as a key route to address the UK’s housing shortage. The... View Article

Going with the grain

Here, Gregg Wright of Reliance Veneer explains how the demand for decorative timbers combined with modern manufacturing techniques not only makes environmental sense, but can also enhance design Have you ever looked at a beautiful piece of furniture and wondered... View Article

The disruptive power of tall timber

Kevin Flanagan of PLP Architecture explains how the firm’s pioneering research projects to build unprecedented tall engineered timber structures is driven by a wider agenda of increasing quality of life in ‘smart cities’ of the future The essence of our... View Article

Kawneer helps Tonbridge School build on its literary history

Two new extensions to Tonbridge School’s Smythe Library feature Kawneer glazing systems. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified for the most significant external change to the £3.6 million refurbishment of a library at one of Kent’s most prestigious independent boys’ schools.... View Article

Bamboo pavilion uses innovative construction technique

Part of the Rencontres d’Arles festival, CONTEMPLATION is a hybrid initiative combining photography, architecture, and music. Photographs by Buddhist monk and thinker Matthieu Ricard are displayed in a setting especially conceived for the project: a unique 1,000 square metre pavilion made of bamboo.... View Article

Mineral Products Association welcomes construction sector deal

The industry has highlighted the sustainability benefits of making full use of indigenous supply of UK minerals and mineral products to ensure demand for the construction of housing and infrastructure projects, including Highway England’s roads programme, Hinkley Point C and HS2 is supplied. Typically,... View Article

UK market for volumetric modular buildings increased by 6% in 2017

According to a report by AMA Research – ‘Prefabricated Volumetric Building Systems Market Report – UK 2018-2022’ – “he UK market for prefabricated volumetric modular buildings and portable accommodation is estimated to have increased by 6% in 2017 – a significant improvement on... View Article

RIBA responds to social housing boost

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) responds to the announcement of investment in social housing across England confirmed today (26 June 2018) by Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP. Speaking... View Article