All specification focus articles
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NewsThorlux launches emergency lighting system amid concerns over fire safety compliance
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
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NewsJan Kattein Architects delivers redesigned children’s library at Swiss Cottage
Jan Kattein Architects has completed the redesign of the children’s library at Swiss Cottage Library in Camden, north London. The project, commissioned by Camden Council, marks the 60th anniversary of the grade II-listed modernist library, originally designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1964.
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NewsIn pictures: Mowat & Company redesigns Flint HQ in south London
Flint, the London-based wine merchant, has completed a comprehensive refurbishment of its Kennington headquarters in collaboration with architecture practice Mowat & Company. The redesign addresses spatial constraints in the previously overcrowded Stannary Street site, enhancing both workflow and visitor experience
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OpinionA quiet revolution in light: Balancing innovation and integrity at the National Gallery
Light as a curatorial partner, not just a utility: in the National Gallery’s NG200 redisplay, Studio ZNA reimagines how visitors experience art through subtle, responsive lighting. Zelina Hughes explores how the scheme blends innovation with empathy, respecting both the architecture and the artworks
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NewsPetrarch launches slimline facade panel with focus on sustainability and reuse
Petrarch has unveiled PlanX, a reconstituted stone cladding panel designed to meet contemporary architectural needs for slimline aesthetics and sustainable material use.
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NewsOffice Ten Architecture proposes scalable retrofit model to tackle housing and climate crises
Pilot project is rethinking the standard terrace homes, hoping to improve fabric performance and increase housing density in a bid to solve the UK’s housing shortage and the environmental impact of underperforming homes
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NewsProject Reuse delivers first materials in pilot scheme to rethink fit-out waste
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
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FeaturesMastering the detail: The Northcliffe with John Robertson Architects
JRA’s refurbishment of the grade II-listed former Daily Mail HQ marks a triumph in sustainable heritage regeneration
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FeaturesDesigning with timber from day one
If the UK is to meet its commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and reduce embodied carbon in construction, the industry must improve the sustainability credentials of the buildings it constructs
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FeaturesCan architecture help the built environment understand its purpose?
The built environment is being pulled in many different directions. Earlier this year the government proposed a new Planning and Infrastructure Bill, as part of its ambition to build 1.5 million new homes over the next several years. The goal of this bill was to streamline the country’s complex planning ...
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NewsPre-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.
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OpinionIt’s time to see more recycled products in the fabric of our buildings
Nobody needs to be told the planet is in trouble and unfortunately the construction industry is a major contributor to both carbon emissions and waste. Our default approach of using virgin materials over recycled options is a key driver in global warming. As such, we are exhausting our planet’s resources ...
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NewsTwo-thirds of material and waste data unusable, report warns
A new report from construction data platform Qflow has found that 91% of construction material delivery and waste removal records fail to meet quality standards, with only 34% accurate enough to support embodied carbon calculations. Based on six years of analysis covering over 1 million deliveries and removals, the study ...
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Information - BDMastering the detail: Episode 3
Attention manufacturers: What does it take to become a preferred supplier for leading architects? Episode 3 of our essential webinar series gives you the inside track. Hear directly from Etain Fitzpatrick and Andy Thomas at John Robertson Architects (JRA). They will reveal what architects prioritise when specifying products and partners ...
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FeaturesVelux repurposes timber warehouse into low-carbon innovation hub
A 30-year-old timber warehouse in Østbirk, Denmark, has been converted into Velux Group’s new innovation centre, now known as LKR Innovation House. The facility, which reuses over half of its original materials, will host around 500 employees working on product development, including roof windows and accessories.
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NewsPAS 24 update introduces stricter security testing for windows and doors
The PAS 24 standard, which defines enhanced security performance criteria for windows and doorsets, has been updated to reflect modern burglary techniques. The latest revision, PAS 24:2022+A1:2024, includes a new test method designed to evaluate resistance to current attack strategies, with a specific focus on lock cylinder vulnerabilities.
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NewsModular Scottish holiday home showcases Querkus veneer in low-carbon timber interior
A new modular holiday home in northern Scotland has used Decospan’s Querkus veneer extensively across its interiors, in what is believed to be the largest residential specification of the product in the UK to date. Taigh na Coille, designed by Edinburgh-based WT Architecture, is located in the remote landscape of ...
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FeaturesMastering the detail: Baytree Nuneaton with Chetwoods Architects
In the heart of the Midlands’ Golden Triangle, one of the UK’s busiest logistics hubs, a quietly radical scheme is challenging assumptions about what logistics architecture can be. Baytree Nuneaton, designed by Chetwoods for global logistics operator Rhenus, is not only a high-performing industrial campus – it’s also a model ...
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NewsLet’s be specific… Recycled plastics Q+A with Nichola Robinson, Hahn Plastics
Once seen as a low-grade byproduct, recycled plastic has rapidly evolved into a high-performance material embraced by the construction and landscaping sectors. Its journey from post-consumer waste to durable infrastructure reflects a broader shift toward sustainable, circular design. With growing pressure on architects and specifiers to reduce embodied carbon and ...
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OpinionWhy fine-tuning acoustic health is key to the productivity drive
Commercial workspace has seen its most significant shift in decades, starting with the rise of remote working and rapidly evolving into hybrid and flexible arrangements. While hybrid work has become the standard for millions, an increasing number of UK businesses are now advocating for employees to spend more time in ...