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Green light for Ackroyd Lowrie’s co-living redesign of SPPARC office scheme in Bermondsey
Reuse of historic buildings dominates 2026 RIAS Awards shortlist
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Latest Opinion
Housebuilding: The goose that lays the golden egg is dead
If the government is serious about building 1.5 million new homes, it must start by recognising the scale of the shift that took place in 1991 and everything that has been piled on since, writes Hugo Owen
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Government should reflect real-world behaviour in Part G consultation response
Suzannah Adey argues changes to Approved Document G must reflect the way people actually use water or risk serious unintended consequences
Why regulation must focus on safety, competence and culture
Proportionate and effective regulation is a pre-requisite for thriving professions and markets. The ARB’s new strategy sets out our desire to be a leader in regulatory innovation in the built environment, writes Hugh Simpson
Parliament refurb poses important questions about correct way to conserve architecture
The French achieved a stunning feat by rebuilding Notre Dame in an improbably short space of time. So why does the Palace of Westminster restoration seem so much harder, asks Eleanor Jolliffe
Why choosing the right weatherproofing for penetrations at data centres is key
Matt Jones explains why weatherproofing penetrations represents a particular challenge at data centres – and how specialist weatherprooding solutions can be a vital detail when specifying this cornerstone of digital economy infrastructure
Master the plan: what masterplanning means, and why it matters
Masterplanning and urban design are frequently conflated but serve very different roles, says Jonathan Tarbatt at Corstorphine & Wright. It is important that we clarify the language, challenge lazy assumptions and advocate for a more rigorous, place focused approach to large-scale development
Why architects should take a fresh look at London’s livery companies
Martyn Evans invites you to join the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects and help protect a long tradition of professional responsibility by keeping it alive, active and relevant
Designing for difference: How thoughtful architecture can transform SEN environments
Being prepared to question standard solutions within the constraints of budget and safety leads to learning environments that are not only functional, but uplifting, Richard Paige of NVB Architects explains
In the age of artificial intelligence, what remains of the architect?
In a special long read comment piece, Martha Tsigkari and Sherif Tarabishy consider how the need for critical human reflection remains paramount in a profession that might otherwise risk becoming a recycling service
How trauma-informed design can shape spaces of safety and trust
Robert Hopkins explains how trauma-informed design can move inclusive architecture beyond compliance to create spaces that feel safe for all
How trauma-informed design can shape spaces of safety and trust
Robert Hopkins explains how trauma-informed design can move inclusive architecture beyond compliance to create spaces that feel safe for all
We can afford to build greener houses – and there are many good reasons why we should
Al Scott, co-founder of IF_DO, has been working on a new sustainable construction methodology for housing. He believes it can help raise standards for both people and the planet and need not cost the earth
I too have not renewed my ARB subscription and am no longer a UK architect
RIBA board chair Jack Pringle says we are stuck in a regulatory system which offers no real public protection – and with a regulator overstepping the mark. It is therefore time to take a stand
Remembering Kelvin Campbell: Probably the most influential urban designer of his generation
Kelvin Campbell passed away over Christmas. David Rudlin pays tribute to a fascinating contrarian who was always inspirational if also slightly intimidating
Regen Connect: joining the dots between local ambition and industry delivery
At a pivotal moment for urban regeneration, editorial director Chloe McCulloch introduces a new campaign designed to connect local priorities with the industry expertise needed to deliver real change
Remember: It’s a place not a property development
The language that developers use is all-important. Treating land less as a product and more as a living part of a city will make it a more valuable and compelling place to be, writes Martyn Evans
A plea for the material in the age of AI
By placing the material back at the centre of design inquiry, we can navigate this new era with a richer understanding of what architecture is and can become, writes Arturo Revilla, design director and London studio director at Kettle Collective
Where, then, do we really wish to live?
Hundreds of studies into what people like and why have produced clear and consistent results. So it is beholden on us to build places that give residents what they want and need, writes Nicholas Boys Smith
Network Rail should pay heed to John McAslan’s light-touch Liverpool Street station redevelopment plan
It has been arguably the most chaotic development process of any major project in the UK over the past decade but the latest proposals could well be the best way forward for Network Rail
Rethinking sustainability by designing for social resilience
We must move beyond focusing solely on material sustainability and incorporate social resilience into our approach to conservation and to every design brief for new buildings and masterplans, writes Regine Kandan
Protecting small builders can solve the UK’s housing crisis
The backbone of postwar Britain’s vast housebuilding drive, small builders now face extinction as regulatory barriers and policy layering make it ever harder for them to compete, build and survive. Hugo Owen has some solutions
What’s in a name… Do the public really understand what it means to be an ‘architect’?
The current debate about protection of title is much more than a fight between the RIBA and the ARB. We need to learn from the mistakes of the past, says Eleanor Jolliffe
WA100 2026: The best get better
Despite volatile times, architects are the most optimistic they’ve been about prospects for the year ahead since the post-covid bounce of 2022. Although optimism on growth dropped sharply back in 2023, this has steadily increased each year to almost match that of 2019. This is reflected in the number of ...
If 2025 was the year of architecture’s AI awakening, 2026 must be the year when we map out the way ahead
As architecture grapples with the transformative potential and undoubted tensions of artificial intelligence, Oriana Fernandez considers how AI has become the industry’s next big thing and examines how three leading practices are following different paths down AI’s “rabbit hole”
Like it or not, the baronial style still captures the essence of Scotland
It may have become unfashionable and left the modern architectural community unimpressed, but the wider public certainly appreciates the turrets and gables made famous by Sir Walter Scott. Just look at The Traitors, Rab Bennetts writes
Why we need to rediscover council housing
A significant increase in the number of social and affordable homes is required if we are to get close to hitting the government’s targets, David Rudlin writes
How popular, traditional architecture arrived in the Netherlands
For years Dutch housing architects were able to ignore the tastes and preferences of their tenants and pursue unashamedly modernist projects. But, as home ownership increased, the demand for more traditional yet affordable houses grew with it
Air quality in green building certification: what you need to know
Julie Tait explains how indoor air-quality standards in sustainable building certification are changing – and offers her golden rules for ensuring compliance
Brand activation – how design can combine the interests of brands and venue owners
Populous has been combining design and brand storytelling in stadiums, arenas and venues for more than 20 years. Simon Borg explains the process
Our choices in 2026 will decide whether architecture remains a public service
The past president of the RIBA calls for bold thinking and institutional change in order that we can build better
We must encourage the building of urban one-home wonders
The National Planning Policy Framework includes a specific allowance for single houses in rural areas that are “truly outstanding” where they would otherwise be refused. An equivalent provision is needed in urban areas, writes Russell Curtis
The future of high-rise: why restoring public trust means redefining value
Dr Danilo Gomes argues the future of high-rise housing depends as much on building in social value as it does on overcoming regulatory bottlenecks
Why I have decided I will no longer be called an architect
We need a new system of registration which focuses on the competence of all built environment professionals if we are to ensure buildings are safe and of high quality, Chris Williamson explains
The government’s ‘build, baby, build’ agenda cannot succeed unless architects are involved from the start
Only around 6% of UK homes are designed by architects, but getting them involved early is one of the most effective ways of ensuring that homes are built to last, to support community life, and are easier to live in over time, says Simon Vernon-Harcourt at City & Country
