Latest on Human Factors
Acoustic spray systems improve inclusiveness and sound quality at Hackney music venues
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
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
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
Why building a culture of viability is key to safeguarding quality in major housing programmes
Alison Coutinho argues that by prioritising viability from the outset, housing schemes can avoid delays and achieve better outcomes
In the face of increasingly extreme weather, developers, design engineers, architects and policymakers must take the lead
The recent heatwave presents yet more evidence that we face a challenge – and a huge opportunity – to construct buildings that are thermally comfortable, energy-efficient and wellness-led, says Abhishek Parmar
Planning for both people and nature is not a contradiction
As new legislation threatens to weaken habitat protections, Sophie Thompson asks what it would take to plan with respect for both people and the natural world
JRA explores breaking barriers to inclusive design within London’s built environment
Talks and installations explored how multisensory approaches can inform more accessible and equitable spaces
What if buildings made us feel better? Rethinking design through the lens of health
Tye Farrow makes the case for how a salutogenic approach to design can support neurological health, emotional well-being and human performance
What’s stopping us from including contractors earlier in the design process?
Anna Beckett makes the case for treating contractors as part of the design team from the outset, suggesting that earlier collaboration could help bridge the gap between low-carbon ambition and what’s actually buildable
What’s stopping us from better understanding our emissions?
As new figures show building emissions on the rise, Anna Beckett argues that without consistent embodied carbon data, the construction industry is flying blind – and risking failure on climate targets
A new kind of line in the sand: Southsea’s sea wall that welcomes everyone
Can ‘hold the line’ infrastructure bring people together? You bet it can, says LDA Design director Sophie Thompson
Hiring in the age of AI: proceed with caution
Jimmy Bent explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping recruitment, and why authenticity and human judgement matter more than ever
