All specification focus articles
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NewsTHISS Studio completes Butterfield house extension in Stoke Newington
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
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OpinionRaising the bar: How the government’s green paper will transform timber specification
Andrew Oriss explains how the UK government’s 2025 Construction Products Reform Green Paper will reshape timber specification – from risk-based regulation and strengthened certification to digital product data and sustainability reporting
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NewsHouse of Lords pushes for bird-safe glass requirement in England’s new buildings
Peers back cross-party amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to mandate wildlife-friendly building features, including glazing to prevent bird collisions
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NewsMass timber rooftop and breathable facades define DLA’s Mayfair retrofit
21–25 Bruton Place reinstated as a high-performance workspace through deep retrofit and material innovation
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NewsIn pictures: Architecture for London reinstates Camden townhouse as family home
Five-storey Georgian property near Regent’s Park restored with period details, new rear extension and bespoke joinery
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NewsIn pictures: Pend completes Catalog House
Architecture studio Pend has completed the renovation and integration of two former flats into a single-family home in Trinity, Edinburgh
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NewsLet’s be specific… Polished concrete Q+A with Woody’s Concrete Co.
Steven Wood and Izzy Taylor-Wood explain how this versatile surface is made, the role of aggregates and sustainable blends, and why polished concrete continues to reshape both architectural and interior design
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NewsKnauf Insulation launches free online 3D U-value calculator for steel frame rainscreen facades
Insulation mannufacturer states the new tool allows architects to instantly generate precise U-values tailored to their designs, helping reduce the performance gap and avoid over-specification
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Information - BDMastering the detail: Episode 5
What do architects really need from manufacturers today? Episode 5 of our unmissable Q+A series lifts the lid on how expectations are changing. Join Jan Kattein, director at Jan Kattein Architects, as he shares first-hand insights into the evolving specification landscape.
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FeaturesGood 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
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News“Raising the bar on product information”: Wienerberger on becoming first to achieve CCPI assessment for bricks and pavers
Wienerberger explains why transparent product data matters more than ever for architects – and how achieving the CCPI assessment could help reduce risk in design
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NewsAlsecco brick slip facade system claims 80% CO2 reduction over traditional brick
The manufacturer’s recent case study attributes the reduction primarily to differences in manufacturing processes
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NewsLoader Monteith completes retrofit and extension of 18th-century cottage
Oak flooring, triple glazing and a perforated aluminium canopy feature in a low-energy renovation that prioritises accessibility and landscape views
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FeaturesMastering the detail: 127 Charing Cross Road with Barr Gazetas
For Barr Gazetas, the redevelopment of 127-129 Charing Cross Road meant revitalising a 1970s concrete-framed building into a refined piece of central London real estate
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NewsMaterial reuse at the heart of SALT’s adaptable workspace by THISS Studio
The space was designed for both work and events, with an emphasis on reuse principles and natural materials
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NewsJan Kattein Architects completes demountable studios and galleries on Harrow car park site
The modular complex in north‑west London groups three buildings around a raised courtyard designed for relocation after a five‑year tenure
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FeaturesRising cases of grey efflorescence raise alarm for brick facade performance
Once considered the pinnacle of aesthetic permanence, brick facades are facing an increasingly visible threat in the form of grey efflorescence
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OpinionWhy cutting corners in specification is costing you more
Cris Francis warns that swapping specified products for cheaper alternatives can jeopardize safety, compliance and long-term value
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NewsKnox Bhavan renovates Notting Hill terrace with oak, steel and concrete palette
Knox Bhavan has transformed a deteriorating end-of-terrace property in Notting Hill’s Colville Conservation Area into a modern four-bedroom home
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OpinionGateway 3 raises the stakes for project teams under the Building Safety Act
With gateway 2 in the rearview mirror for an increasing number of projects, it is essential to shift focus to gateway 3 and the challenges that this poses to clients, design teams and contractors alike