All Buildings, design and specification articles
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NewsGreen light for Witherford Watson Mann’s £90m transformation of RCA’s Kensington campus
Scheme designed in collaboration with Clementine Blakemore Architects
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Information - BDCPD 16 2026: Fire safety and wall membranes: understanding their role in building performance
Sponsored by Glidevale Protect, UK producer of construction membranes, this CPD explores the role of membranes within wall construction, with a particular focus on fire performance and how it interacts with moisture management, airtightness and thermal performance
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NewsWhat made this project… Studentville by Andre Kong Studio
Finalist for Young Architect of the Year Award 2026, Andre Kong Studio guides us through the specification challenges present at Studentville
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NewsType completes low-carbon retrofit of Dorset quarry cottages
85sqm retreat combines two 19th-century cottages, retaining original stonework, floors and staircases while reusing salvaged timber and introducing an air source heat pump and solar panels
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OpinionDesigning security into high-value homes without compromising architectural character
In high-value homes, security is judged by how effectively it safeguards a property without it actually looking protected. Cameron de Wys explores strategies to integrate sophisticated systems so thoroughly that they become virtually undetectable
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FeaturesHow construction can help heal the planet
Engineer and environmentalist Will Arnold explores how the built environment can move beyond reducing its environmental impact, examining the potential of material innovation, reuse and resource efficiency to create a more regenerative approach to construction
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NewsHouse Of EM completes new-build family home in Shropshire
Skylark uses an F-shaped plan, Danish brickwork and a central courtyard to organise a four-bedroom house around views of the River Teme
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NewsWhat made this project… Montcalm Mayfair by Holland Harvey
Finalist for Retail and Leisure Architect of the Year Award 2026, Holland Harvey guides us through the specification challenges present at Montcalm Mayfair
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OpinionBuilding envelope performance starts with the whole system
Danilo Gomes explores why building envelope design increasingly requires a coordinated approach to fire, thermal, acoustic and moisture performance, and considers the role of early collaboration in demonstrating compliance
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Information - BDCPD 15 2026: Retrofitting solid-wall homes with insulation
Sponsored by ROCKWOOL®, this module covers external wall insulation in the retrofit of solidwall homes – including the policy and funding landscape driving demand, and the fire safety and moisture-management requirements that govern material choice
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NewsWhat made this project… Health Sciences Library by HLM Architects
Finalist for Higher Education Architect of the Year Award 2026, HLM Architects guides us through the specification challenges present at Health Sciences Library
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NewsInglis Badrashi Loddo completes compact home within historic garden walls
63sqm two-bedroom house in Kennington has been designed around a central courtyard, with a reconstructed brick perimeter wall responding to planning restrictions on external windows
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OpinionRetrofitting starts below ground
UKGBC’s April 2026 report highlighted that most buildings are set to remain in use until at least 2050. Retrofit is therefore critical and Jon Chevin explores why ground stability should be considered from the outset
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NewsNew guidance to tackle moisture risk in mass timber buildings
Funded by the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) and Swedish Wood, the project will bring together existing research and industry expertise to address how moisture risks can be prevented, detected and managed across the design, construction and operation of timber buildings.
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NewsBadweather converts canal boat into off-grid floating bathhouse
56ft-widebeam vessel has been fitted with a sauna, cold plunge pools and off-grid water, power and heating systems, with its existing steel hull retained and restored
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NewsWhat made this project… Rolikstraat by Common Wonder
Finalist for Young Architect of the Year Award 2026, Common Wonder guides us through the specification challenges present at Rolikstraat
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OpinionWhy architects need to rethink door specification under Martyn’s Law
Rob Mottram, head of product and compliance at steel door manufacturer Robust UK, explains how Martyn’s law impacts door specification
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FeaturesCombining the benefits of modern slate technology with the look of natural slate: Why choose a Cedral roof
From easier installation and lighter structural loads to long-term durability and sustainability, fibre cement slates offer specifiers a versatile roofing solution designed to meet the demands of modern residential projects
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NewsNimtim architects completes accessible bungalow extension in Suffolk
151sqm Evermore project in Aldeburgh combines a retained bungalow with a new extension, using Viroc cladding, clay plaster and microcement to create a low-maintenance home designed for long-term adaptability
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NewsWhat made this project… Greenview House by Paper House Project
Finalist for One-off Small Project of the Year Award 2026, Paper House Project guides us through the specification challenges present at Greenview House