Healthy, Happy Homes
Health and wellbeing is a hot topic, it’s affected by everything from lifestyle to the air we breathe and even noise levels in our environment. Recent research has highlighted the …
Viewpoint
Office fit-out with sustainability and wellbeing at its heart
Martin Fahey looks at how the refurbishment of a small city centre office has helped improve staff wellbeing and lower the organisation’s carbon footprint The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) …
A rational approach to alarms
Timely notification about any events concerning a building services infrastructure is vital. However, Steve Browning at Trend Control Systems, explains why the generation of too many individual alarms is deterring …
VR: from environmental awareness to product placement
Ellina Webb looks at the likely impact of virtual reality on our world. Last week my colleagues and I took a trip to the arctic to discover the melting polar …
SBEM – correct efficiency figures can reduce project costs
Richard Warry looks at why talking directly to the manufacturer rather than relying on SBEM calculations can reduce project costs. I read an article on LinkedIn entitled “SBEM isn’t a …
What is your local council doing to green the community?
Ellina Webb investigates what her local council of St Albans City & District is doing to combat climate change, be sustainable and green the community. I first became aware of the city’s …
Porcelain takes to the floor
Flooring needs to be extremely hard wearing and easy on the eye, but how can you ensure that all practical and aesthetic requirements are met? Simon Boocock, Managing Director or …
Air traffic control
Indoor air quality has a major influence on the health, comfort and wellbeing of a building’s occupants. Graeme Rees, marketing director at Trend Control Systems, explains how a Building Energy …
Be afraid, be very afraid
In ode to Halloween, Ellina Webb looks into the real threats that should be giving you the heebie-jeebies. Did you know, according to a 2017 survey by Chapman University in America, …
Preparing your new home for its first winter
As a first time homeowner, Ellina Webb looks into how to prepare a home for winter. In the past 10 years, house prices have continued rising year on year whilst …
So, have we reached the future yet?
Russell Jones looks at an historic article from the 1960’s to see just how far we’ve come towards the future predicted. We’ve discovered a fantastic new website called StumbleUpon.com which throws up …
The business case for going green
Gemma Lakin looks at the benefits to business of embracing ‘green’ technologies A couple of weeks ago I wrote about what companies such as Nandos and The UK Green Building …
Is the golden age of gas and oil coming to an end?
Donald Daw looks at whether the world is finally relinquishing its grip on carbon intensive fuel. The news currently seems full of stories about how much renewable energy is on …
Are companies doing enough to combat Climate Change?
Gemma Lakin takes a look at what companies are doing to help tackle climate change A few weeks ago, my colleague Russell Jones looked at the story of John B …
Is the future of commercial building below our feet?
by Ellina Webb ~ Marketing Specialist at Mitsubishi Electric The term “iceberg” is usually referenced when speaking about climate change, the demise of the Titanic or a rather luscious lettuce, …
Architectural Technology Awards: 2017 Winners
The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is pleased to declare the winners for its annual Architectural Technology Awards. Announced and presented by CIAT President Gary Mees on 15 September …
Educating the energy consumers of tomorrow
Article by Jenny Maskrey – The Learning Curve at Mitsubishi Electric With the ever expanding threat of climate change it is becoming more important to educate future generations about how …
Liquid Waterproofing: Key differences between wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry applications
Stuart Hicks from cold-applied liquid waterproofing specialist, Kemper System, looks at the key differences and benefits of installing a wet-on-wet vs. wet-on-dry liquid waterproofing solution. In many refurbishment and new …
What lessons can the UK learn from Norway?
After visiting Norway, Gemma Lakin looks at how the country has embraced renewable technology. Last month I had the pleasure of visiting in the beautiful country of Norway. We spent …
Does everybody need good neighbours?
by Ellina Webb ~ Marketing Specialist at Mitsubishi Electric Ellina Webb examines neighbourhoods and the social, economical and environmental benefits of co-housing. A few weeks back The Independent reported that in the …
Building services can help everyone be lean, mean and green
Martin Fahey Head of Sustainability and Commercial Business at Mitsubishi Electric looks at how the building services industry can help us all be energy efficient. It may seem strange for …
Glazed doors, the clear choice
Summer is upon us, bringing with it increased light levels to building interiors. This natural borrowed light is invaluable, illuminating dark spaces and reducing the need for artificial light. With …
The Green Eyed Monster
Open any trade magazine or visit supplier websites and you will find numerous articles and products offering exceptional ‘green’ credentials. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the glass and …
Mark this renewable day in your diary and celebrate
by Russell Jones ~ Communications Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Russell Jones asks whether a whole day of electricity produced without burning a single lump of coal spells out the end …
Sustainable Building Designs Take Over
Danny Phelan, National Sales Manager at Panel Systems, looks at how building designers and architects are using innovative cladding materials, such as timber, to create modern and environmentally sustainable building …
Washroom design for the well educated
With so many rules and regulations surrounding the practicalities of washroom design in educational settings, Daniel Ward, Senior Ceramics Product Manager for Twyford, talks us through the dos and don’ts …
Kitchen surfaces are all white now
Anyone who was old enough to watch TV in the 1980s may well remember one particular commercial from a well-known washing powder brand, promising to leave the country’s laundry ‘whiter …
Why you need to tread carefully on fragile roofs
By Soni Sheimar, General Manager, Easi-Dec Every year nine people on average fall to their deaths from fragile roofs or through roof lights. Many more suffer serious, life-changing injuries. Falls …
Top Tips for Safe Spring Maintenance
By Soni Sheimar, Easi-Dec General Manager With the arrival of spring, and winter firmly behind us, now is the time for business owners and landlords to take a look at …
Guardrail Installation Horrors
Article by Terry Creed, Technical Sales Consultant, Safesite Ltd We’ve written in the past about the importance of competency, especially when it comes to fall protection equipment. I spend a …
Performance Testing for Rooflight Covers
By Jason Godfrey, General Manager, Safesite Ltd When speaking to a customer recently about our new rooflight and skylight protection, Kee Cover®, we were asked how we can be sure …
Safety Critical Fixings – What happens when it goes wrong?
As recently appointed full members of the Construction Fixings Association, EJOT UK is helping to promote the work of the CFA by alerting those involved in the specification and installation …
Importance of Fall Protection Inspection
By Steve Kilpin, Recertification Manager, Safesite Ltd A recent conversation with one of our customers made me realise that many end users are still unaware of their duties once a …
Why choose resin bound surfacing for residential developments?
Resin bound surfacing has transformed housing developments in recent years throughout the UK. Gone are the days of using block paving or concrete to create functional driveways, paths and garden …
Finish first with OrganoWood®
With architects turning their attention to timber as a favourite material for cladding, Steve Grimwood, Managing Director of OrganoWood®, the natural wood preservative specialist, explains the necessity for specifying a …
Collaboration and Integration the Key to Success
Article by Steve Thompson, Managing Director of EOS Facades Celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, EOS Facades is a leading innovator in light gauge steel construction, specialising in the design, manufacture …
The return of Buying British is innovation in itself
Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber discusses the many advantages of choosing British timber and takes a look at three areas where Britain leads the way. It is widely understood that …
Of sound design
Based on findings from its dedicated acoustics laboratory, Victoria Willis, Product Manager for Geberit, explains the importance of taking a complete system approach to designing out the nuisance sound of …
Building Better with BIM
By-lined Article by Steve Thompson, MD of EOS Facades The digital age is evolving. We are constantly adapting technology in order to enhance all aspects of the modern world. We …
High Performance Building is not a ‘Back of an Envelope’ Calculation
By-lined article by Ian Loughnane, Business Unit Director for Kingspan Timber Solutions. Following government calls for faster delivery, lower costs and increased sustainability from the industry, timber and offsite construction …