All Buildings, design and specification articles
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CPDCPD 02 2025: Hard landscaping specification for housing developments
As urban development accelerates and rainfall intensifies, traditional drainage systems are under unprecedented strain. The result? Rising flood risks, environmental degradation and a need to rethink how we manage surface water. Hard landscaping plays an important role in mitigating these challenges, offering innovative solutions that combine functionality with sustainability. One ...
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NewsTerraced streets tackle climate change with ambient loop system
An award-winning initiative aims to decarbonise up to eight million terraced homes in the UK through a community-led energy model that uses heat pump networks and microgrids
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NewsIt’s time to electrify
Suzanna Lashford is leading efforts to help the UK’s construction sector shift to sustainable energy solutions, advocating electrification as the only sustainable path forward for new developments
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SponsoredGroundworkers: improve your tender success rates and profitability for residential retaining wall projects with Secura Portal
When tendering for residential retaining wall projects, groundworkers must find a way to keep client costs down, while also ensuring their own profitability. Of course, quality and workmanship are also critical considerations. One way to achieve tendering success is to use modular concrete block retaining walls such ...
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CPDCPD 01 2025: Understanding the regulatory requirements for modern ventilation systems
Learn how to meet ventilation compliance standards while ensuring air quality and energy efficiency in modern homes. Sponsored by Xpelair by Dimplex, this module outlines the key ventilation requirements and explores the role of MVHR in meeting modern standards. Deadline for completion Friday 21 February 2025.
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CPDCPD 20 2024: Steel structures for fire performance
Sponsored by the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA), this module covers critical insights into fire-resilient design strategies, material selection, and industry standards to enhance safety and compliance in steel construction. Deadline for completion Friday 24 January 2024.
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NewsReimagining mainstream housing: the Living Places approach
Lone Feifer, director of sustainable buildings at Velux, is spearheading an initiative aimed at transforming the housing sector. Drawing on the success of the Living Places concept in Copenhagen, Feifer has co-authored a “recipe book” that details principles, methodologies and insights for creating sustainable homes and communities. The goal? To ...
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CPDCPD 19 2024: Specifying glass in rooflights
Sponsored by Glazing Vision, this module will explore the relevant industry guidance and technical considerations when specifying glass in rooflights, guiding professionals through the design, manufacturing and construction process.
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SponsoredEnsuring rainscreen designs translate to real performance
Recent years have seen a significant tightening in Building Regulation guidance. Increasing demand for improved energy efficiency and safety makes it crucial for rainscreen designs to translate into real, ‘as-built’ performance. Bridging the gap between theoretical design and real performance can be challenging but there are measures developers can take ...
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CPDCPD 18 2024: Carbon negative brick solutions
Sponsored by Vandersanden, this module will explore the specification of carbon negative bricks, a recent innovation developed to offer a more sustainable alternative to clay brick in terms of carbon sequestration.
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NewsUnlocking timber’s potential: Alex Goodfellow on industry readiness and government’s role in boosting structural timber
Following the launch of the Timber in Construction Roadmap in December 2023, the Structural Timber Association (STA) is set to launch its Timber in Construction implementation guides in the hope of safely increasing the amount of timber used in construction to help the UK meet its net zero target by ...
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CPDCPD 17 2024: Flat roofs and fire testing standards
Sponsored by Soprema, this CPD module delves into the rise of flat roofs, their evolving nature, and the crucial fire testing standards that must be met in order to achieve compliance with current building regulations
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CPDCPD 16 2024: Embedding excellence in carbon management
Sponsored by BSI, this module will explore PAS 2080 and how the standard’s requirements enable professionals to embed carbon management excellence throughout the built environment supply chain
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CPDCPD 15 2024: Digital workflow technology
Sponsored by Topcon Positioning GB, this module will explore the benefits of digital workflow technology, alongside the issues that may arise during integration and how they can be overcome
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CPDCPD 14 2024: Engaging BIM to build a more connected built environment
Sponsored by BSI, this module will guide professionals looking to improve their BIM knowledge, as well as assist seasoned users wanting to enhance digital security or understand the higher-level benefits of BIM adoption
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CommentRethinking repairs and maintenance in social housing
During my decades working in the sector, I have always been clear that the first duty of social housing providers should be to ensure that residents live in homes that are safe, comfortable and in good repair. Landlords have arguably never been under more scrutiny to ensure that their repairs ...