What does planning reform mean for you

With the benefit of 20 years of experience navigating planning policy, Mark Mirams, chief operations officer at Studio Charrette, gives readers a no-nonsense view of the practical changes brought by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. At Studio Charrette, we know... View Article

Make the right connections

24-26 June NEC Birmingham InstallerSHOW is the UK’s must-visit event focusing on sustainability in the built environment, bringing together more than 800 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors across three halls and three days at the NEC Birmingham. In addition to the... View Article

A sustainable mix of grey, green & blue

As the UK targets 1.5 million new homes, sustainable drainage must be part of the plan, says Ben Puddy of Hydro International; he explains how blending blue, green and grey systems can build the perfect drainage mixture to support climate-resilient... View Article

LVT: the sensible flooring choice

Luxury vinyl tiles combine style, durability, and easy maintenance, making them a top flooring choice for modern interiors. Lorna Williams at Amtico shares why it is the perfect solution for new developments. Choosing the right flooring is one of the... View Article

Don’t be a cyber victim

Colin Donnellon of Clear warns construction firms that it’s time they woke up to the real threats posed by cyber attacks, as they are more vulnerable than ever due to growing reliance on digital tools and electronic transfers; and wonders... View Article
Planning permission shortages stifle housing growth

The cost of ending homelessness

Preventing further increases in homelessness will only be possible with billions being invested in new housing, says Patrick Mooney, with record-high rough sleeping and temporary accommodation figures exposing the urgent need for action. The overwhelming case in favour of building... View Article

A new era of safety

The residential sector has a variety of new safety and certification requirements  to navigate, especially under the Building Safety Act. Mike Vaczi of SOPREMA UK highlights why housebuilders and developers need to familiarise themselves with their evolving obligations. The Building... View Article

Open to alternatives

Kevan Woolf of Velfac questions whether the introduction of Part O to mitigate overheating means inward opening windows are the only solution. The recent introduction of Part O of the Building Regulations has prompted designers to seek effective solutions to... View Article

Ambitious plans

Lawrence Turner of planning consultants Boyer discusses how the revised NPPF aims to meet Labour’s ambitious housing targets, from brownfield passports to grey belts. Following Angela Rayner’s promise in July 2024 to spearhead a ‘decade of renewal’ with an ambitious... View Article
How to build greener homes

How to build greener homes

The climate crisis demands urgent action, explains Philippa Hoy of sustainability consultant Bioregional. She gives the case for the One Planet Living concept, and looks at how embracing sustainable design and low-carbon solutions can meet developers’ imperatives as well as... View Article

Tide is high once again in Croydon

Europe’s tallest modular building yet, the 50-storey College Road residential scheme in Croydon, is Tide Construction’s second tower in the fast-growing borough, with over 1,700 units on a narrow, densely urban site. Stephen Cousins finds out how they did it.... View Article

Design for the future

Complying with legislation to create future-proof, carbon-neutral buildings is key. Andrew Watkins of wedi Systems explores sustainable, long-lasting solutions for bathroom and wet room design amid evolving regulations. Andrew Watkins, Technical Manager at wedi Systems (UK) Ltd, discusses how to... View Article
Fans of efficiency

Fans of efficiency

Mechanical extract fans are essential for home ventilation, yet often overlooked. Paul Williams of Domus Ventilation explores how choosing the right fan for a property – and ensuring proper installation – will aid efficiency, performance, and regulatory compliance. The humble... View Article
Beyond boilers

Beyond boilers

As energy efficiency standards tighten, Barry Fentem of Altecnic explores the alternatives to gas boilers which are available to help housing upgrades meet regulations while futureproofing homes with sustainable heating solutions. As energy efficiency standards become more stringent, the housing... View Article

Daylight: The overlooked role

As sustainable construction advances, home design must go beyond energy efficiency, considering daylight, ventilation, comfort, and embodied carbon. Neil Freshwater of VELUX explores how daylight and Indoor Environment Quality can contribute. In the pursuit of more sustainable and energy-efficient homes,... View Article
The routes to a greener world

The routes to a greener world

Over the last few decades, housebuilding design has drastically changed from every possible angle; from energy, technology and construction to industry standards and regulations. At the same time, the push towards carbon reduction and net zero, energy efficiency and biodiversity... View Article
From cowshed to retirement community

From cowshed to retirement community

A project in the affluent Surrey town of Godalming has transformed a listed cow shed as part of a group of vibrant apartments. Mark Smulian explores how Birchgrove is redefining retirement living with a strong sense of community in a... View Article
Planning permission shortages stifle housing growth

Planning permission shortages stifle housing growth

As the Government and construction sector struggle to meet ambitious housing targets, record low planning approvals and economic uncertainty underscore the challenges. Patrick Mooney highlights the urgent need for reforms to address the crisis. The New Year brought with it... View Article

The offsite keys to the Future Homes Standard

Will Frost from Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions asserts that the Future Homes Standard offers developers a chance to prioritise long-term benefits over short-term cost savings, while reducing carbon emissions. One of the best ways to achieve the ambitious aims of the... View Article