Will Covid-19 change the future of building design?
THE IMPACT of Covid-19 on every aspect of life is undeniable. As the pandemic began to spread throughout March 2020, no one could have foretold the ways in which this …
Viewpoint
Aluminium: Combatting construction’s carbon footprint
With the aim, laid out by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), to make all buildings Net Zero by 2050, the construction industry must make changes — starting with material …
Heat pumps key to London’s net zero ambition
A new report from the Carbon Trust, ‘Heat pump retrofit in London’, shows how heat pumps will have a critical role in tackling emissions from London’s buildings and delivering the …
Now is not the time for unnecessary trips to the office
British Safety Council calls on Government not to pressurise employers to get workers back into the office. If people can work from home, they should have the choice to work …
The end of planning permission
What will the new regulations mean for house builders? In August 2020, the UK government announced that homes, hospitals, schools, shops and offices would be given automatic planning permission, with …
From the city to the countryside
Embrace the countryside trend without making the move. Estate agent Rightmove reports an increase in the number of people looking to move from the city to the countryside, with the …
The role of specification
By TTF FLEGT Communications Executive Lucy Bedry. Responsible forestry and sourcing of timber and timber products is an essential part of the solution to reducing harmful carbon emissions amd mitigating …
Supporting affordable housing with modular construction
Euramax releases infographic on benefits modular construction brings to housing market Yorkshire based window and door manufacturer, Euramax, has released an infographic that outlines the UK’s current struggles to create …
Do Green Roofs Improve Air Quality?
Good air quality plays a major role in the health of people living in urban environments. People who live in concentrated urban areas are often exposed to high levels of pollution, …
Creating a modern masterpiece
Smart and simple changes can bring homes into the 21st century Television programmes such as Grand Designs have made many viewers yearn for a home that promotes a modern lifestyle. …
The future of health and safety in construction
By Chris Pendrey, Regional SHEQ Advisor at Actavo Direct The current coronavirus pandemic has thrust employee health and safety into the spotlight in every industry. And with construction being one …
Housing and modern methods of construction post COVID-19
By Ian Atkinson, Partner and Ryan Lavers, Solicitor, at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson The construction sector is fundamentally important to the UK economy. Often cited as the barometer of economic conditions, it …
Towns and cities to work together on home retrofit as calls for green recovery mount
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has today marked a major new phase of Accelerator Cities, a project which brings together some of the most ambitious local and combined authorities and other expert stakeholders to drive action to upgrade our draughty, energy-hungry housing …
Could COVID-19 drive a rethink of outdoor space design?
The coronavirus lockdown and enforced social distancing has resulted in many of us spending much more time than ever outdoors. In addition to the increased levels of outdoor activity that many people have been …
Traditional look, modern technology
When materials technology meets classic characteristics Popular television programmes such as Escape to the Country entice many city dwellers into surrendering their high-rise apartments in favour of a cosy, country cottage. Wooden …
Modern or traditional construction?
~ Exploring the differences ~ The history of brick and mortar construction is an established one, and many consider brick laying an art form. However, modern building methods, such as …
Ventilation Plays Critical Role in Reducing Covid-19 Transmission
Vent-Axia has welcomed the Government’s Covid-19 press briefing on 29 April 2020 which cited ventilation as being critical in the fight against the virus. At the briefing Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, …
Managing health and safety on site amid COVID-19
CONSTRUCTION sites in the UK will be able to remain open during evenings and weekends to help the UK’s economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to government sources. In …
The Importance of Educational Play and the Outdoor Space
Our children are immersed and exposed to varying stressful environments, both at school and at home. It is of no surprise that we are reading negative headlines referring to the …
Non-essential construction must end to keep workers and public safe
Government must give clearer guidance on building sites says British Safety Council As the UK heads into at least three weeks of lockdown, concerns are being raised across the country …
HHIC issue updated advice to heating engineers on working during COVID-19 crisis.
The heating and plumbing industry carry out essential frontline work to maintain the supply of heating and hot water to UK homes, schools, hospitals and businesses. It still needs to …
VitrA Identifies Seven Bathroom Trends for 2020
Spring is just around the corner, so it’s prime time to focus on home improvements and with the bathroom being on the hit list for many VitrA has identified seven …
Installing an MVHR system has never been so easy
By Penny Jones, Product & Marketing Manager, Domus Ventilation Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems have become highly popular in residential new builds. They improve indoor air quality, making …
Steel framed rooflights – what lies beneath?
Paul Trace from Stella Rooflight offers an insight into steel rooflights and the issue of rust, while highlighting some of the important considerations in the specification process. It is widely …
Council leaders and Mayors call for freedom on zero carbon homes targets
Council leaders and Mayors from different political parties are calling on Government to abandon proposed restrictions on their ability to cut carbon emissions from housebuilding. In an open letter to …
VitrA Publish Third Design Update: The Water Issue.
VitrA has published its third Design Update, this time the focus is water. Arguably the most important element in bathroom design, VitrA delve into the debate on modern day water …
HS2 decision will destroy precious wild places
The Wildlife Trusts call for a redesign Today the Government gave the green light to the High Speed 2 rail project, without acknowledging the devastating impact on the hundreds of precious …
Making rooftops safe and secure
With falls from height still a substantial contributor to construction deaths, it is imperative that equipment on roofs is as safe as possible. Poorly secured cables on flat roofs are …
Vent-Axia Supports Landmark Report by Royal Colleges on Indoor Air Quality
Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia welcomes the latest joint report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the Royal College of Physicians on the health impact …
A window to a greener world
~ How composite windows and doors can boost energy efficiency ~ As part of the tenth annual World Green Building Week, which took place in September 2019, the World Green Building …
HHIC welcomes long awaited upgrade to Building Regulations
‘A review of Building Regulations is well overdue’, says the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council, HHIC as they respond to The Future Homes Standard 2019 Consultation on changes to Part …
The dangers of asbestos roof repairs
During the 20th century, asbestos was seen as a miracle material, used across the construction industry for various projects. Prior to it being deemed a serious health hazard due to …
Trending: 2020 windows and doors
The fenestration industry was overwhelmed with the desire for coloured, smart, composite windows and doors in 2019. While these are expected to still be of importance for many homeowners in …
Vent-Axia Welcomes ‘Indoor Air Quality at Home’ Guidance from NICE
Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has welcomed the publication of guidance on ‘Indoor Air Quality at Home’ from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Following on from …
Safety comes first
Construction work is dangerous, particularly for workers on site. However, the same thought must be taken for those using the building once it is complete. From electrical and gas provision, …
JAVAC’s Unique Spark Proof and Dual Voltage Refrigerant Recovery Unit Reaches Final at the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards
JAVAC, the number one HVAC tool supplier in the UK, is delighted to announce that it has been named as a finalist in the prestigious National ACR & Heat Pump …
Heat pumps v Oil and Gas. A complete no-brainer!
George Clarke calls for big policy change from government on sustainable heating I’ve recently moved to Gloucestershire. The reasons I’ve moved there is because it is staggeringly green, beautiful and …
UKGBC unveils sector ambition for climate resilience and nature
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has today unveiled a sector ambition for climate resilience and nature in the built environment. With the climate and ecological crises rising up the …
British Safety Council: Government must adopt new approach to health and safety regulation
Grenfell inquiry shows that the regulatory regime failed – we must honour the victims by ensuring this tragedy is never repeated. The British Safety Council has today responded to the …
England is too lazy to hit recycling targets – Time to get tough
The UKs waste management agency says it’s time to start fining companies that don’t recycle their waste. Britain could quite easily hit its 50% waste recycling target overnight if only …