All specification focus articles – Page 4
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NewsCatnic launches Solarseam: a photovoltaic solution for standing seam roofs
According to the manufacturer, the system integrates flexible solar laminates bonded directly onto Catnic’s urban standing seam roofing panels
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NewsJRA 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
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OpinionCopper’s role in designing resilient and sustainable water infrastructure
The UK’s water infrastructure is at a critical juncture, with the need for substantial investment and reform becoming ever more pressing. The country faces increasing risks from outdated systems, where ageing pipes and materials such as lead and plastic can lead to contamination and water leaks.
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Information - BDCPD 08 2025: Understanding and identifying grey belt land
As pressure mounts to deliver new housing and infrastructure in England, the Green Belt – long considered sacrosanct – is once again at the centre of planning debate
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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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Information - BDCPD 07 2025: Mastering sliding and bi-fold doors
Sliding doors date back over a thousand years to Japan, where shoji – paper-covered wooden frames – offered space-saving elegance in homes and temples. Even earlier, grooves in Pompeii’s stone floors suggest the Romans used sliding doors to enhance spatial flexibility.
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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 - 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 ...