All Buildings, design and specification articles
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NewsManea Kella restores Edwardian terrace in north London
London-based practice has renovated and extended an Edwardian terrace in London’s Dartmouth Park Conservation Area, combining the restoration of original features with a contemporary glazed extension
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Information - BDCPD 19 2026: Beyond embodied carbon: the whole-life impact of timber windows
Sponsored by George Barnsdale, this module explores how material choice, operational performance, durability, maintenance, repair and end-of-life considerations can influence the whole-life carbon impact of window specification
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FeaturesHow cladding can play a key role in passive cooling
For decades, UK homes have been designed to keep people warm. Today, the challenge is keeping them cool. Lisa Grosse, product and marketing lead at Cedral UK and Ireland, explains how fibre cement cladding can help reduce solar gain and improve year-round building performance
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NewsWhat made this project… Black Bull Close by Simpson & Brown
Finalist for Creative Conservation Architect of the Year Award 2026, Simpson and Brown guides us through the specification challenges present at Black Bull Close
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OpinionRemembering Frank McDonald: possibly the most important urbanist you have never heard of
David Rudlin pays tribute to a an ‘utterly fearless’ Irish journalist who raged against the destruction of historic Dublin
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OpinionFire safety cannot be verified at the final inspection alone
Gateway 3 has brought greater scrutiny to how passive fire protection is installed and evidenced, making early quality assurance, effective change control and collaboration essential to demonstrating compliance, says Lee Nichols
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NewsMcLean Quinlan completes courtyard house in Surrey woodland
The single-storey home in Virginia Water, Surrey, combines a timber structure, natural materials and a low-energy design within a protected woodland setting
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Information - BDCPD 18 2026: Multifunctional flat roof design
As flat roofs take on more roles, their design and specification are becoming increasingly complex. This CPD, sponsored by ROCKWOOL®, explores how to assess loading, fire performance, drainage and long-term behaviour as part of a complete roof system
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NewsWhat made this project… Hebron House by Paul Archer Design
Finalist for Individual House Architect of the Year Award 2026, Paul Archer Design guides us through the specification challenges present at Hebron House
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OpinionLet’s be specific: Overheating Q+A with Stuart Smith, Zehnder Group UK
Overheating is becoming an increasingly important consideration in building design, with rising summer temperatures adding to the challenge of creating comfortable, energy-efficient buildings. But addressing the risk is not simply a question of adding cooling.
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Information - BDCPD 17 2026: Using XPS insulation below DPC level in cavity walls
Sponsored by PolyFoam XPS, this CPD module explores the principles behind using extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation in masonry cavity walls below damp-proof course (DPC) level, examining relevant Building Regulations guidance, detailing approaches and the role of thermal modelling in achieving robust building performance
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NewsWhat made this project… 20 Gresham Street by John Robertson Architects
Finalist for Interior Architect of the Year Award 2026, John Robertson Architects guides us through the specification challenges present at 20 Gresham Street
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NewsEcoCocon straw wall system to feature at timber conference
Ecological Building Systems will present a wall build-up combining straw and timber panels with wood fibre insulation and airtightness membranes at the Structural Timber Conference
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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