All specification focus articles – Page 3
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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 - BDCPD 06 2025: How glass mineral wool insulation supports net zero building design
This module explores how glass mineral wool insulation supports sustainable construction by reducing carbon emissions and improving energy performance
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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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Information - BDCPD 05 2025: Enhancing thermal performance
This module explores how evolving building regulations are driving improved thermal performance and how stone wool insulation can help narrow the performance gap
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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 ...
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NewsAI startups partner with architecture giants to tackle construction challenges
Digital Catapult, a deep tech innovation organisation, has announced the ten AI-led startups selected for its accelerator programme under the Innovate UK BridgeAI initiative. The programme is intended to promote the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI) in sectors with high growth potential, including construction.
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Information - BDMastering the detail: Episode 2
Calling all manufacturers and product suppliers! Episode 2 of our Mastering the Detail webinar series features an insightful conversation with Philippa Birch-Wood, sustainability lead at Chetwoods, offering a candid look into what really influences architectural specification decisions.
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OpinionHeat networks: The low-carbon design solution
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. Improving building fabric ...
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NewsRockwool’s rainscreen insulation tested for high-wind resilience in real-world build-ups
Rockwool has announced new testing results for its NyRock Rainscreen 032 product. The manufacturer says it has demonstrated resilience to wind pressures equivalent to a category four hurricane when installed in commonly used facade systems.
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NewsSpecialist cleaning technique used to conserve historic buildings in Dundee
Conservation cleaning specialist EcoGuard Scotland has completed restoration works on several historic buildings in Dundee using a steam-based technique designed to minimise damage to sensitive stonework. The company is now preparing for further conservation-led projects in and around the city.
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NewsBindloss Dawes extends Victorian home in Stoke Newington
Bindloss Dawes has completed the renovation of a Victorian home in Stoke Newington, London, located within the Lordship Park conservation area. Originally purchased as a development project by clients Emma Dahlman and Nick Illston, the property has evolved into a long-term residence, requiring extensive collaboration to address its existing structural ...