Lead by the landscape

Over 100 new apartments are in the works in the Surrey town of Oxted, offering countryside living within commuting distance of the capital. Alison Dowsett, managing director of St William Homes, explains how the team utilised a design concept that... View Article

Strategic glazing specification

Kevin Bonnar of Velfac explains how to get to market faster and improve return on investment with strategic glazing specification. Glazing is one of the most important building products in any low rise or ‘plot by plot’ housebuilding project. High... View Article

The aluminium renaissance

Steve Bromberg of Express Bi-Folding Doors looks at why he believes that more housebuilders than ever are ditching PVCu in favour of aluminium When it comes to the design of a residential or commercial property, the finer details can make... View Article

Offsite timber is construction’s future

Stewart Dalgarno of Stewart Milne Timber Systems discusses why modern methods of construction coupled with a build fabric such as timber frame is key to meeting Government housing targets sustainably. Industry reports are increasingly signalling a move towards modern methods... View Article

How offsite benefits better fire protection

Ian King of Zeroignition looks at the benefits of modern methods of construction, and how the solutions offered by adopting an offsite approach can be applied to benefit fire protection and safety. Recently, the National Housing Federation found that more... View Article

Reinforcing the GRP Message

Andy Fell of Hambleside Danelaw explores how housebuilders and developers can avoid the common pitfalls of flat roofing by specifying glass reinforced polyester (GRP), explaining its various benefits. How many times have you heard it said: ‘flat roofs never last... View Article

Rendering best practice more achievable

Dale Telling of Fassa Bortolo UK looks at the steps to take in choosing the best external render system for your next development. Practical, durable and stylish, render systems can completely transform the exterior of a property through colour or finish,... View Article

Getting cement selection right

Sandra Higginson of Tarmac Cement explains the importance of selecting the right cement products in order to reduce waste and costs. For professional builders, saving time and money remains of paramount importance. However, as anyone with experience knows, opting for... View Article

Building knowledge

The construction and design show for London is back, and this time it is ‘bigger and better than ever.’ Focusing on a diverse array of current topics, London Build is jam packed with content, networking and entertainment. This year, London... View Article

Raising the bar for renters

A new build-to-rent development is under construction in Leeds, which is set to bring a host of hotel-style amenities to over 500 homes across two high-rise blocks. In Leeds city centre, construction has begun on 515 homes spread over two... View Article

A big eco ambition on a small site

Five new ‘eco’ homes have been completed on a ‘micro site’ in Enfield, which combine environmental efficiency with a traditional feel. Nic London, of SME builder and developer NLondon Construction, spoke to Jack Wooler. To the north of the capital,... View Article

The key to housing workers

A 264-home project for key workers at the University of Cambridge has been completed by architects Stanton Williams. Jack Wooler spoke to the practice’s Gavin Henderson on how the space between buildings has been utilised to embed the community into... View Article

Turn down the volume

Ben Hancock of Oscar Acoustics explores how housebuilders and developers can prevent noise from ruining occupants’ health, as our cities grow ever larger. The UK urban population living in cities is set to rise to 92.2 per cent (65.8 million... View Article

Plan ahead – rain or shine

Oliver Collins of ACO Water Management explains why implementing an effective surface water management system is integral to delivering long lasting value for any new residential development. The build quality of any housing development is always the most important aspect... View Article

The science behind the sensory space

Awareness of mental and physical wellbeing has never been greater, yet many still struggle to find the time, freedom and sanctuary necessary to recover from the stresses of everyday life. Drawing on content from a new white paper, Sophie Weston... View Article

Can MMC quality reduce fire risk in buildings?

Mary McCollum of Sapphire Balconies explains how the quality control possible through modern methods of construction (MMC) can reduce fire risk in buildings – particularly when installing balconies. Modern methods of construction (MMC) may hold the key to a myriad... View Article

Seven reasons not to miss UK Construction Week

If you’re not yet registered to attend the UK’s largest construction event, here are seven things that might convince you to head to the NEC on 8-10 October. 1. Products New products are always being developed to meet different and... View Article

Contemporary tiling

Interest in tiling as a stylish, hygienic and durable finish for domestic walls and floors has never been stronger. Here the Tile Association (TTA) outlines some of the issues which housebuilders and developers need to be aware of. Driven by... View Article

Demystifying ventilation

With the growth of whole house ventilation systems, ducting products and systems abound, specifying and installing them has become considerably more complex. Penny Jones of Domus Ventilation answers the most commonly asked questions when it comes to domestic ventilation ducting.... View Article

Preparing smart home Installations for the future

Matt Nimmons of CEDIA EMEA discusses how to install smart home installations that can stand the test of time, and details the elements that need to be considered when designing a wider home integration project. The integration of smart technology... View Article