Looking beneath the surface

David Sherry from Dreadnought Tiles explains the importance of looking beyond the marketing when choosing traditional clay plain tiles. The use of traditional building materials is widely recognised as a vital part of preserving the unique character of our old... View Article

Small ceramic facade elements, great effect…

The municipal site between the Jewish Museum, the new TAZ building and the former flower wholesale market hall at Kreuzberg was not simply awarded to the highest bidder, but to the one who submitted the best concept for a development.... View Article

Arup report encourages the use of timber to help tackle climate change

Arup today (19th March) launches its ‘Rethinking Timber Report’ aimed at accelerating the construction industry’s response to reducing global emissions and achieving net zero carbon buildings by using sustainable materials. The report highlights the time and efficiency savings that can result from... View Article

Mjøstårnet Becomes World’s Tallest Timber Building

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has verified the completion of Mjøstårnet, a mixed-use building in Brumunddal, Norway that now holds the unique title of the “World’s Tallest Timber Building.” At 85.4 meters, it is also the third-tallest... View Article

Take a fresh look at stone and hard surfaces

As a cladding material, architectural detail, hard landscaping, interior, or even roofing material, stone has it all. Architects will be able to see for themselves at the Natural Stone Show, which is taking place in London’s ExCeL from 30 April... View Article

Opening the envelope

Simon Wild of Formica group discusses how the application of cladding using traditional building methods has evolved, and explores the modern materials now on offer. Traditionally, housebuilding techniques in the UK relied upon the use of local materials typical of... View Article

A vital force

Steven Holl Architects’ Maggie’s Cancer Centre at London’s oldest hospital is wrapped in a translucent facade, which takes historic musical design cues to enliven its interior and exterior. Sébastien Reed reports St. Bartholomew’s hospital (‘Barts’) in the City of London... View Article

The no compromise composite door

John Whalley of Nationwide Windows & Doors discusses the advantages of composite doors for social housing Specifiers and asset managers have lots of choice when it comes to the different types of materials on the market for doors. Naturally, product... View Article

Why concrete remains a rock-solid design choice

Dr Bill Price of Tarmac Cement discusses why concrete is increasingly popular with architects for its aesthetic as well as practical characteristics An ever-popular material for construction, concrete is seeing a new wave of usage and innovation, thanks to both... View Article

Expand your mind

Adrian Walker of Sundolitt discusses why specifiers should consider expanded polystyrene as a versatile as well as sustainable material for landscaping applications Weighing only 1 per cent of the weight of traditional fill, expanded polystyrene (EPS) is continuing to prove... View Article

Getting the balance right

Jon Sheaf of AluK discusses the considerations that must be taken into account when specifying curtain walling, alongside achieving the right aesthetic results Once a glazed facade has been chosen as part of your building envelope, the first stage in... View Article

Making a solid decision

Andy Noble of CD (UK) looks at why architects should consider staying ahead of the curve by specifying solid surface facades for a highly contemporary look How do you create a contemporary and yet timelessly effective facade? From a wave-like... View Article

Composite cladding solutions

Dr Amin Emami from 3A Composites looks at why aluminium composite materials are popular with architects for rainscreen cladding, and at the robustness of testing regimes in the UK post-Grenfell Aluminium composite panels (ACP) or alternatively aluminium composite material (ACM),... View Article

Wienerberger Brick Award 2020: Call for Entries

To celebrate outstanding brick and ceramic building projects from around the world, the world’s largest brick manufacturer Wienerberger is inviting architects, architecture critics and journalists alike to enter projects into the Wienerberger Brick Award 2020. Entries are open until 9th April... View Article