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

Futureproofing homes means heat pumps

Neil Thompson of Ideal Heating explores why heat pumps are critical for future-proofing new homes on the journey to net zero, bearing in mind some of the key design challenges the industry needs to consider. Sustainable housebuilding has shifted from... View Article

Powering up homes’ water pressure

With growing challenges in the UK water industry, Mark Ayckbourn of Stuart Turner highlights key considerations around low water pressure for new builds, and explores effective methods and technology to improve performance. Under UK regulation, households should be supplied with... View Article

Navigating the new Planning Reforms

Alec Cropper of Walton & Co gives the prognosis for meeting Labour’s 1.5 million new homes goal, and the key changes needed in the housebuilding sector. Following its victory in the 2024 General Election, the Labour Government has put housebuilding and... View Article

Building in Confidence

Peter Richardson of Build-Zone provides insight into structural defects insurance policies – including what they cover, and which features developers should focus on when choosing warranties for new housing developments. Even with the best care and due diligence, building houses... View Article
Patrick Mooney warns the Government’s 1.5 million homes target requires urgent funding and policy reforms if it is to be achieved.

Testing times

Patrick Mooney warns the Government’s 1.5 million homes target requires urgent funding and policy reforms if it is to be achieved. Has the Government already signalled that it is unlikely to meet its ambitious target of building 1.5 million new... View Article

The questions to ask before you pick an EV charging solution

In June 2023, Part S made installing EV chargers compulsory in all new builds and major renovation projects, raising key challenges for housebuilder specifiers when selecting solutions, as Charlotte Stowe of Zaptec explains. There are a variety of key considerations... View Article

Elevated expectations

Lee Bucknall of James Hardie looks forward to a ‘transformed’ industry for housebuilders and developers in 2025 and beyond, and how the cladding sector is responding to the challenges. As we look ahead to 2025, the housebuilding and development sectors... View Article

A long and winding road

Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) looks back over what has been a pivotal year for housing, and highlights the challenges and opportunities presented to builders by the new Government’s policies. Well, what a bumpy and eventful... View Article

Make an impact

4-6 March | ExCeL, London As the built environment moves towards a more sustainable future, Futurebuild 2025 has a theme of Impact, underscoring the event’s dedication to innovation, collaboration and meaningful action. A hub for sustainability and cutting-edge solutions, Futurebuild is... View Article

Concrete’s route to net zero

As demand for eco-friendly homes and stricter regulations grow, Andy Campling of Tarmac explores how manufacturers are tackling the challege of developing low-carbon concrete solutions that could transform UK housebuilding. While the construction industry’s path to net zero is becoming... View Article

London Build 2024: The biggest edition yet

20-21 November Olympia London On 20-21 November, what’s thought to be the UK’s largest construction show, London Build, is back, and this year the biggest edition yet, with brand-new, exciting features and stages for attendees to discover.  London Build 2024... View Article

Competence, coordination & compliance

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve for residential building duty holders on fire door safety, Karen Trigg of Allegion UK reviews the importance of competence and coordination in a more rigorous environment When fire safety fails, lives are put... View Article

The benefits of thoroughly modern wood-burning stoves

Erica Malkin of the Stove Industry Association highlights the advantages of modern wood-burning stoves and the important role they play in the UK’s low carbon heating strategy. In the evolving landscape of home heating, house builders and developers are increasingly... View Article