A holistic approach to heating efficiency

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Ashley Cooper of WMS explains why underfloor heating is in the spotlight following new requirements in the Building Regulations, and how the housebuilders can benefit from taking a holistic approach to system design. Following enforcement of the... View Article

Tracing the golden thread in balcony design

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Nick Haughton of Sapphire Balconies discusses how the ‘golden thread’ concept can improve data in projects to benefit the design and delivery of balconies for multi-occupancy apartment buildings.  The ‘golden thread’ is a term used for an... View Article

A schooling in planning strategy

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Neal Allcock, partner at property consultant Carter Jonas Birmingham, discusses how strategic planning could help address the current shortfall in student accommodation being built across the UK. The shortage of student accommodation is well known. Recently we... View Article

Micro solutions to macro problems

LISTEN HERE 🔊 A pioneering modular build to rent scheme, which offers young homeless people the chance to have a place they can afford in central London, has broken ground. Jack Wooler reports on the project. Developed by charity Centrepoint, Reuben... View Article

Get on top of the Part L challenge

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Changes to Part L of the Building Regulations are planned to come into effect later this year as part of the Future Homes Standard, meaning a 31% reduction in new build carbon emissions. Stuart Nicholson of Marley... View Article

Raising the standard

LISTEN HERE 🔊 The developers behind an award-winning development in Wiltshire talk to Jack Wooler about how they have included higher-end features as standard, and blended with the historic context. Somerbrook is a collection of 28 private and 10 affordable... View Article

A heart of oak

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Already in receipt of several awards, Hornsey Rise in Leicestershire was developed to meet strong demand for luxury detached homes with a more ‘intimate’ community feel. Lee Harris of developer Springbourne Homes explains to Jack Wooler how... View Article

Back to the Futurebuild

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Futurebuild, the event that’s championed a sustainable built environment for the past 16 years, is back. Taking place from 1-3 March at excel, the event will connect specifiers, decision makers and ‘disruptors’ with major brands and start-ups... View Article

Frugal fires

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Not only do fires and stoves provide a luxurious traditional aesthetic, but they can now also achieve high levels of energy efficiency. Annabelle Carvell of Stovax gives the argument for why they should be high on developers’... View Article

The outlook for glazing trends in 2022

LISTEN HERE 🔊 After some significant recent industry impacts including Covid and net zero targets, John McComb from Reynaers Aluminium uk looks at five key glazing specification trends and how it’s responding to them. During these undoubtedly uncertain times, it... View Article

Cornish past and future

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Intended to perfectly synthesise the historical and contemporary, The Nest is a boutique development that has just been launched in a picturesque Cornish village. Jack Wooler spoke to Paul Stephens of Stephens + Stephens on the design... View Article

Quintain wins at Wembley

LISTEN HERE 🔊 The 743-home Canada Gardens development – the latest step in Wembley Park’s major regeneration journey – is now occupied. ​​Julian Tollast at Quintain Living explores the lessons from the project so far with Jack Wooler, plus the... View Article

MMC: The only way to meet demand

LISTEN HERE 🔊 With UK housing targets yet to be met, Chris Williams of Green Life Buildings (GLB) discusses how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are the smart solution to pick up the shortfall. If we are going to hit... View Article

Futureproofing windows and doors

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Adrian Pavey of Nationwide Windows and Doors discusses the importance of housebuilders and developers ensuring their properties’ fenestration meets the standards of tomorrow as well as today It is a pivotal time for the construction industry at... View Article

Sink to the top

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Dave Mayer of Reginox explores the latest trends in sinks and taps that he says housebuyers are searching for. There was a time when the kitchen sink’s purpose was no more than being somewhere to wash up.... View Article

Our rural communities are missing out

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance says that rural schemes are being built without vital infrastructure in the current rash of permitted development conversions. In trying to inch its way towards... View Article

Is modular living the key to post-pandemic life?

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Raj Somal of engineering consultancy Dice looks at the exemplar Positive Homes modular development, explaining how modern methods can produce much-needed housing quickly on a tight budget, as the country begins to navigate life post-pandemic. There is... View Article

Go beyond the minimum on acoustics

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Rob Crampton of Hush Acoustics explains why investment in acoustic insulation will result in a higher level of satisfaction for customers. Acoustic standards in UK housebuilding have not been upgraded in a meaningful way since the early... View Article

Using SuDS to add value

LISTEN HERE 🔊 GreenBlue Urban looks at how the appropriate specification of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) can add tangible value to developments, beyond flood mitigation. Using Sustainable Drainage features calls on developers, designers, and planners to adopt a new... View Article

The sustainable showering solution

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Martin Walker of Methven shares advice on the types of showering technologies to specify to successfully reduce developments’ water usage without compromising on performance or aesthetics. In 1960 around 85 litres of water were used per person,... View Article