Designing buildings for good mental health requires real changes to policy

Alex O’dell urges the building industry to do more to create places that promote health and wellbeing

The Coach: Are you leading your team, or just managing them?

Louise Rodgers explores the concept of how becoming a “design coach” can help deliver more effective management and leadership

How we perfected our tactical ‘bible’ for unlocking backland sites

James Dowen shares his practice’s insights into how to make the most of these challenging sites

New buildings to provide single-sex toilets under proposed legislation

Why we need long-term planning to meet society’s housing needs

Politicians must stop opting for short-term bribes and instead pursue large-scale policies to build a community-led economy to deliver the homes we need, writes Chris Brown.

Lighting the way in architecture

Light is a foundational aspect of architectural design and practice - affecting how a building looks inside and out, and how that building influences its context and immediate environment.

Is the lack of ornament in architecture a barrier to diversity?

Modernism’s stripped back aesthetic could be seen as inclusive, but is it actually an impediment to diversity, asks Ben Flatman

Post-call-out decontamination: What’s the burning issue?

UK fire crews play a vital role in saving lives – so the design of their station facilities has to work hard to minimise any further risks. With the nature of the job meaning smoke exposure, facilities need more than just showers for clean-up operations.

Heatherwick’s New York landmark to return with suicide prevention measures

Steel mesh will be used to improve safety of the 150ft structure

Myo St Paul’s: Flexible co-working space by Basha-Franklin

Basha-Franklin has transformed a three-floor office in St Paul’s, London, the latest location for flexible workspace company Landsec’s brand, Myo.

The Coach: How to get the recognition you deserve, without being seen as a ‘show-off’

A social and workplace culture that has historically encouraged modesty can also prevent us from getting noticed, writes Louise Rodgers

Projects should harness the power of plants

The emphasis on creating spaces that foster human health and wellbeing has become a hot topic in construction and interior design across many sectors. How can we create spaces that are functional but also offer tangible physical and mental benefits to its inhabitants?

Even a shopping centre can have emotional resonance - and that value is hard to quantify

When visitors start scattering their loved ones’ ashes, you know you’ve developed a precious connection to place, writes Martyn Evans

CPD 04 2024: Using ozone for decontamination

Sponsored by JLA

This JLA-sponsored module explores the benefits of using ozone for decontamination, alongside the adverse health effects associated with the gas and considerations needed to mitigate them. Deadline for completion Friday 3 May 2024.

Championing permeable materials in a world of climate change

As the UK grapples with the fallout of storm Jocelyn and rising rainfall, Sean Scott explores the spectre of flooding that looms large over our homes and communities

Toxin-absorbing clay plasters by Clayworks

Combining centuries-old knowledge, the company hopes to provide a healthier alternative to traditional plaster

Loader Monteith with Studio SJM unveil new specialist learning hub

The new hub provides a vocational learning environment for young people with complex educational and emotional needs

New cancer centres are combining personalised treatment and research for better outcomes

New approaches to healthcare architecture are helping to facilitate a revolution in treatment and research, writes Chris Oates

We are neglecting the needs of young people, planning experts tell MPs

Only 6% of housing developments involve architects, parliamentary inquiry into young people and the built environment is told

Do you want, or need to be, liked?

Avoiding being a ‘people pleaser’ is often critical to becoming an effective manager, writes Louise Rodgers

Architecture in the Air: Can ventilation become an art form in itself?

Barry Hobday explores whether ventilation can be both functional and visually appealing, and offers advice for architects on how innovations in decentralised ventilation systems are working to improve the use of space

Corstorphine & Wright submits plans for Rob Burrow motor neurone disease centre

Charity-funded scheme to create space for patients and families to support each other

How to address the emotional fallout of redundancy

Dealing with redundancy requires its own set of skills, writes Louise Rodgers

Parliamentary inquiry into young people and the built environment starts hearing evidence

First witnesses highlight importance of access to outdoor space and need for joined-up planning policies

BIG reveals ‘Mindfulness City’ proposals for Bhutan

Blueprint for economic hub includes new airport, hydroelectric dam and happiness-focused language for building typologies

Designing for diversity: Embracing neurodiversity in urban spaces

We need to consider a much wider range of needs when designing new public realm, writes Craig Sheach

How we designed the Children’s Day Treatment Centre at Evelina London Children’s Hospital to welcome young people

Hannah Brewster on how ADP designed a futureproof hospital on a highly constrained site that helps ease the anxiety of families and young children undergoing surgical procedures

Bringing dignity and joy to later living: Mae’s Daventry House project sets a whole new standard

The Stirling Prize-winning practice is helping to define a new era for those who want to live independently as they get older