Buildings by Building Element

Latest Building Study

The sculptural Cadence housing scheme brings life to King’s Cross, showing prefabrication need not mean uniformity

EcoCocon straw wall system to feature at timber conference
By Hollie Tye
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
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

CPD 19 2026: Beyond embodied carbon: the whole-life impact of timber windows
Sponsored by George Barnsdale
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
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
Building envelope performance starts with the whole system
By Danilo Gomes
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

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

Let’s be specific: Overheating Q+A with Stuart Smith, Zehnder Group UK
2026-10-12T05:00:00+01:00By Stuart Smith
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.
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