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Review: Brutal Scotland – ‘These buildings were never just about concrete and form’
Brutal Scotland is a book and exhibition by photographer Simon Phipps documenting 160 buildings across the country. The exhibition is at Street Level Photoworks in Glasgow until 16 May, Bobby Jewell writes
‘It annoys me how much terrible stuff is built’… Clementine Blakemore on the problem with architectural education in the UK
In an exclusive interview, the architect behind the Stirling Prize-shortlisted Wraxall Yard talks to Tom Lowe about why architects often complete their training with few technical skills, working with Witherford Watson Mann on the refurbishment of the Royal College of Art’s Darwin Building and the experiences which inspired her ...
The reinvention of Broadgate: Has it worked?
The topping out of 2 Finsbury Avenue marks the near completion of British Land’s transformation of the iconic Broadgate estate, with £2bn of work sweeping away almost all traces of Peter Foggo’s award-winning 1980s scheme to create a mixed-use destination that has doubled prime rents to £100/sqft.
From Grenfell Inquiry to interim chief construction adviser: Thouria Istephan on why competence cuts across everything
As interim chief construction adviser, Thouria Istephan is using her short tenure to push for deep, systemic change – from professional standards to products reform and the future of the advisory role for her successor. In her first interview in the role she talks to Chloe McCulloch about why she ...
‘I wouldn’t be in the party if it wasn’t pro-development’: Reform UK’s new housing spokesperson on its plans for housing
With an eye to the prospect of taking the reins of power, Reform UK has called on former Homes England chair Simon Dudley to help develop its answer to Britain’s housing crisis. He spoke to Daniel Gayne about navigating nimbyism, getting pension funds to invest in affordable housing, and reassessing ...
With build-to-rent on the back foot, can major regeneration schemes still stack up?
Retailer John Lewis blamed its decision to scrap plans to build 10,000 BTR homes on a ‘fundamental shift’ in economic conditions. Joey Gardiner wonders whether this vital sector still has a realistic future and looks at developers’ options for closing the viability gap
John McAslan: ‘Think of all the bad decisions that are made because people didn’t stand up for things we should have stood up for’
In an exclusive interview, the King’s Cross Station architect tells Building Design about his submission to the National Gallery expansion competition, his rival plans for Liverpool Street station, the ‘baffling’ restoration of the Houses of Parliament and what he thinks of the Olympia redevelopment
Inside West Yorkshire’s quiet renaissance: A regional deep dive into the forces transforming its cities
Devolution is giving Leeds, Bradford and the surrounding local authorities the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Joey Gardiner profiles West Yorkshire, its funding streams, community priorities, key clients and active consultants
Approaching completion three decades on and now a most excellent town … My visit to Poundbury
Poundbury is expected to be finished in 2028, after 35 years’ work. Robert Kwolek visited recently with his camera and declares it the best new place built in the UK in decades, bursting with lessons for the new towns programme
Such buildings can change lives… Regenerating safe spaces that young people can call their own
Horizon Youth Zone has just opened in a refurbished warehouse in Grimsby – one of a flurry of youth centres to have completed in the past three years in disadvantaged areas. As the government promises a £500m investment in youth services, Debika Ray considers the importance of creating civic buildings ...
The regeneration rethink: funding, power and the local leaders shaping what comes next
For over a decade, built environment policy has prioritised new-build over regeneratoin. As Building Design launches its new Regen Connect editorial campaign, Joey Gardiner finds out why that might all be about to change
What unified ownership can teach us about today’s housing strategies
Samuel Hughes traces how unified land ownership has shaped some of the most successful neighbourhoods in history and asks what lessons this holds for today’s housing strategy
Could 2026 signal the start of a new stone age?
Structural engineer Webb Yates has completed its first structural stone building for a commercial developer. Thomas Lane reports on the firm’s 20-year mission to establish stone as a sustainable alternative to concrete
Frank Gehry: from LA experimentalist to the architect of the Bilbao effect
Ben Flatman examines how Gehry’s work evolved from local, materially driven invention into one of the most recognisable architectural vocabularies of his generation
How the viability crunch is putting Britain’s housing ambitions – and design quality – under strain
Mary Richardson examines how Britain’s viability crisis is squeezing design quality and stalling the creation of real places to live
Jack Pringle: ‘If the RIBA didn’t exist, you’d have to invent it’
RIBA chair Jack Pringle reflects on his role in stabilising the institute’s finances, implementing governance reforms and positioning architects to reclaim leadership in construction through the principal designer role
Building Safety Regulator’s backlog blitz: will it work?
After delays and mounting frustration, the regulator unveiled a bold strategy to clear thousands of stalled projects. Joey Gardiner explores whether the reforms and new leadership can overcome early missteps
Barr Gazetas: designing a culture of sustainability
Ben Flatman discovers how Barr Gazetas is redefining what a sustainable practice can be – from its commitment to retrofit and social value to a culture of openness and long-term responsibility within the team
The architecture of adaptation: 44 inspiring ideas from the Venice Biennale
As the Venice Biennale draws to a close, Mary Richardson picks some of her favourite exhibits from the inspiring international exhibition in the Corderie at the Arsenale, which was a celebration of human ingenuity and innovation
Come with me to Clamart: a postcard from a Parisian regenerative development that really works
British ‘regeneration schemes’ could learn a lot from the Clamart Panorama brownfield development near Paris, says Nicholas Boys Smith – above all the humility to ask people what they really like
Closing the door on opportunity? The future of architect apprenticeships
As government funding for Level 7 architecture apprenticeships is withdrawn, Mary Richardson reports on what the decision means for students
27 interesting innovations and prototypes from the Venice Biennale
Mary Richardson picks her favourite product prototypes and material experiments from the Biennale’s international exhibition – from buildings “grown” beneath the sea to bricks made of elephant dung
Interviews
Barr Gazetas: designing a culture of sustainability
Ben Flatman discovers how Barr Gazetas is redefining what a sustainable practice can be – from its commitment to retrofit and social value to a culture of openness and long-term responsibility within the team
Creating communities for all: Jenny Buterchi on PRP’s vision for age-inclusive living
As part of BD’s Boomers to Zoomers series, Mary Richardson went to talk to Jenny Buterchi, partner at PRP and lead of the firm’s Later Living team, to learn more about her vision for design and placemaking that better serve the needs of an ageing population
Adjaye London CEO Lucy Tilley: ‘We’ll work even harder to carry on our legacy. We’ll keep going’
New London CEO talks about her vision for the future, the allegations that threatened to bring the practice down, and the resilience that she says helped it survive
Inside Gbolade Design Studio: A new era of architecture where the only way is ethics
Ben Flatman talks to Lanre and Tara Gbolade about setting up their practice and their vision for architecture as a tool for social and environmental change
Chris Williamson: ‘I think we can do a lot for young architects – they need all the help they can get’
Ben Flatman talks to the founder of Weston Williamson + Partners about the role RIBA has played in his career, the importance of lifelong learning, and why he wants to help the next generation of architects get a leg up in the profession
Joe Morris: What’s wrong with the planning system and why we must take a stand against hostility in the workplace
Ben Flatman talks to Joe Morris about the complexities of the planning system and the importance of workplace civility
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More interviews
Jonathan Smales: ‘I love the tangibility of building. I like the fact it’s got a beginning, a middle and an end’
From running Greenpeace to creating the UK’s largest timber neighbourhood, Jonathan Smales is a developer who doesn’t follow the herd, writes Ben Flatman
Alex Ely: ‘Architecture is so central to our culture - it’s a pity it doesn’t seem to gain the traction it deserves’
The founder of the Stirling Prize-winning Mae Architects shares his influences and inspirations with Ben Flatman and concludes that his profession still has much to offer
Let’s talk about a brighter future for our towns and cities
How can we create thriving communities and places that people enjoy and want to live in? Ben Flatman spoke to four key industry figures to find out
Henley Halebrown: ‘We are genuinely interested in how people use buildings’
Simon Henley and Gavin Hale-Brown met at the University of Liverpool in 1986 and have been friends ever since, forming their award-winning practice together in 1995. Here Ben Flatman discusses their early influences, design philosophy, and commitment to improving access to the profession
‘Nobody believes them anymore’… HOK’s Daniel Hajjar on what is wrong with UK politics and the planning system
After 20 years in the Middle East, Daniel Hajjar moved to the UK, where, eight years on, he finds the political ‘flakiness’ of the country has made it an infuriating place to build. Thomas Lowe reports
Interview | Eleanor Jolliffe talks to Nick Temple
In this interview Eleanor Jolliffe discovers how the opportunity to study in Rome changed the course of a renowned academic’s life
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