Buildings by Building Element

Latest Building Study

Maccreanor Lavington’s mixed-use scheme in south-east London weaves together housing and industrial space within a tight urban setting

Darwen Terracotta adopts digital manufacturing tools as heritage maker modernises production
By Hollie Tye
Heritage manufacturer is integrating digital design and production technologies under the Made Smarter programme
Holcim UK trial shows recycled concrete fines can replace clinker in low-carbon cement mix
By Hollie Tye
UK industry trial led by the Materials Processing Institute, involving Holcim UK, has demonstrated that recycled concrete fines can partially replace clinker in cement production
McLean Quinlan converts Winchester office basement into material-led client studio
By Hollie Tye
Practice repurposes ground floor beneath its Winchester office into a client studio designed to showcase architectural materials

Combining the benefits of modern slate technology with the look of natural slate: Why choose a Cedral roof
Sponsored by Cedral
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
How cladding can play a key role in passive cooling
Sponsored by Cedral
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
ACO publishes blue roof guide to support climate-resilient roof design
By Hollie Tye
ACO Building Drainage has released the second volume of its Blue Roof Guide, outlining approaches to on-roof water storage and drainage coordination for architects

My quest for accessible cities starts here
By Andrew Teacher2 comments
Andrew Teacher is launching a drive to rethink how accessibility is built into cities
Architecture for London completes Dorset Beach House
By Hollie Tye1 comments
Refurbishment of a timber-framed home on the Ballard Estate prioritises low-carbon materials and airtightness while preserving the estate’s historic character
HOK and ERRE’s Roig Arena in Valencia is ‘first with ceramic skin’
Some 8,600 ceramic fins cover the new €400 million stadium

Mosley Thorold turns north London maisonette into material-rich family home
By Hollie Tye
The practice was co-founded by Nathaniel Mosley, who led the project as both architect and main contractor for his own family home
Thorlux launches emergency lighting system amid concerns over fire safety compliance
By Hollie Tye
Thorlux Lighting has unveiled a new version of its Firefly emergency lighting system, citing recent figures from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) that indicate more than 2,000 premises received fire safety enforcement notices in the past year
Project Reuse delivers first materials in pilot scheme to rethink fit-out waste
By Hollie Tye
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has received the first batch of salvaged interior products under its pilot scheme aimed at exploring how reuse can be integrated into the commercial office fit-out process

Good Homes Alliance publishes water-efficiency design guide with model specs to help deliver water-neutral housing
By Hollie Tye
New guidance translates policy intent into buildable details, setting out a fittings-based route to verified consumption, options for rainwater and greywater systems and evidence from six live projects
Pre-assembled heat pump unit claims £2,000 installation savings
Hewer, a sustainable heating solutions provider, has launched Heat Saviour, a pre-assembled unit designed to simplify the installation and maintenance of heat pump systems. According to the company, the technology could save up to £2,000 per installation by reducing the need to overhaul existing heating systems.
Heat networks: The low-carbon design solution
By Tom Brough
The UK’s social housing sector is undergoing a significant transformation as it works to decarbonise its heat and hot water provision. This is about more than just supporting the country’s net-zero 2050 target – energy efficiency is essential to tackling fuel poverty and addressing rising operational costs.

Housing Today Live webinar: Is MMC the key to solving the housing crisis?
THISS Studio completes Butterfield house extension in Stoke Newington
By Hollie Tye
The London-based architect tested the commercial walling product in a domestic context, using it to deliver structure, insulation and finish in one material system
Unlocking MMC housing: why digital transformation and industry standardisation are essential
By Katie Rudin and Anne Daw3 comments
Anne Daw and Katie Rudin make the case for how digitisation, through the new Digital Kit of Parts, can unlock the potential of MMC

Acoustic spray systems improve inclusiveness and sound quality at Hackney music venues
2025-10-21T05:00:00+01:00By Mary Richardson
Backed by Arts Council England and delivered with soundscape specialists Sownd Affects, the initiative uses spray-applied acoustic finishes to address noise sensitivity and improve accessibility for diverse audiences
EEA report highlights need for architects to prioritise acoustic performance in window specification
2025-09-18T05:00:00+01:00By Hollie Tye
As noise pollution emerges as a growing public health concern, REHAU is urging architects to consider frame quality and glazing choice as key elements in residential design and retrofit projects
Good Homes Alliance publishes water-efficiency design guide with model specs to help deliver water-neutral housing
2025-08-27T08:59:00+01:00By Hollie Tye
New guidance translates policy intent into buildable details, setting out a fittings-based route to verified consumption, options for rainwater and greywater systems and evidence from six live projects