Briefing – Page 2
-
FeaturesFixing the roof while the sun is shining: Making Blenheim Palace fit for the next 300 years
Water was pouring through the roof and stonework falling off of the John Vanbrugh-designed palace in Oxfordshire. Blenheim is spending £12m restoring an acre of lead and slate roof, restoring the stonework and water-damaged painted ceilings to make it able to withstand a once-in-500-years storm, while ensuring the palace stays ...
-
FeaturesAmid a heritage skills crisis, St Paul’s wants to bring its craftspeople into the light
The cathedral’s property director is embarking on a mission to transform its ageing workshops into a shining new Centre of Excellence. But with multimillion-pound repairs to its iconic ball and cross also needed, where will it get the money? Daniel Gayne reports
-
ReviewReview: 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
-
Features‘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 ...
-
FeaturesThe 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.
-
FeaturesFrom 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 ...
-
Features‘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 ...
-
FeaturesWith 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
-
FeaturesJohn 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
-
FeaturesInside 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
-
FeaturesApproaching 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
-
FeaturesSuch 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 ...
-
FeaturesThe 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
-
FeaturesWhat 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
-
FeaturesCould 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
-
FeaturesFrank 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
-
FeaturesHow 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
-
FeaturesJack 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
-
FeaturesBuilding 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
-
FeaturesBarr 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