All Buildings, design and specification articles
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NewsNew pre-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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CPDCPD 06 2025: How glass mineral wool insulation supports net zero building design
The built environment is facing a defining challenge. As of 2021, buildings and construction activities accounted for approximately 42% of annual global CO₂ emissions, underscoring the industry’s significant share of the climate crisis. In the UK alone, construction processes were responsible for over 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions ...
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CommentRebuilding trust: Why quality and accountability must lead the UK’s housing drive
The UK is counting on construction. We need to build 1.5 million homes, make progress on net zero, improve energy security, reduce bills and improve the comfort and health of all. But this is only possible if people trust the industry.
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CPDCPD 05 2025: Enhancing thermal performance
Despite decades of innovation in building materials, energy modelling and regulations, one stubborn truth remains: too many buildings still underperform. The design promises one level of energy efficiency – on paper – but the built reality often tells another story. This so-called performance gap is not just a technical oversight; ...
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CommentCould the UK’s new towns be a wash out?
As the House of Lords begins its inquiry into how to practically and effectively deliver the UK’s 100 new towns, deep consideration must be given to how these communities can withstand climate change.
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SponsoredGlass mineral wool: The smart choice for forward-thinking housebuilders
Thermal performance is under greater scrutiny than ever before, from both regulatory bodies and homeowners demanding energy-efficient homes. And it’s not just notional performance that’s under the microscope – increasingly, homes are being judged by their as-built performance too.
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CommentHeat networks: The low-carbon solution for social housing
The UK’s social housing sector is undergoing a significant transformation as it works to decarbonise its heat and hot water systems. Not only is there a need to support the country’s net zero targets by 2050, but improving energy efficiency is essential to address growing concerns about fuel poverty and ...
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NewsSmart socket claims to prevent electrical fires
A British inventor has launched a smart socket that is said to utilise thermal monitoring to prevent electrical fires with the aim of disrupting traditional safety standards
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CPDCPD 04 2025: Energy performance evaluation in architectural projects
Understanding and improving a building’s energy performance is critical in addressing the climate emergency. This module, sponsored by Vectorworks, explores how architects can integrate early-stage performance modelling into their workflow to create more sustainable, energy-efficient designs.
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CommentSolving the UK’s social housing heat pump challenge
Graham Rothwell examines the challenges of scaling up heat pump retrofits in social housing, from tenant engagement to grid constraints, and explores the strategies needed to drive successful adoption
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CPDCPD 03 2025: Segmental retaining walls for housing developments
Sponsored by Tobermore, this module explores the design considerations, applications and benefits of specifying segmental retaining walls in residential developments. Covering key aspects from initial planning through to construction, it highlights how solutions can address site-specific requirements.
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CommentThe time for passive observation is over – SMEs must lead the housing revolution
With 2025 bringing fresh optimism to construction and development, the UK’s ambitious housing targets demand a bold, innovative approach. Lanre Gbolade explores how the future of sustainable, high-quality homes hinges on empowering local businesses and embracing new models of delivery
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NewsRetrofitting windows essential for social housing upgrades
As the drive to decarbonise social housing intensifies, selecting the right windows and doors is key to improving energy efficiency. A new whitepaper from REHAU explores the technical and regulatory considerations for effective retrofitting
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CPDCPD 02 2025: Hard landscaping specification for housing developments
Sponsored by Tobermore, this module explores permeable paving as part of a sustainable drainage system solution for housing developments, highlighting the benefits and challenges, alongside best practice guidance for design, construction and maintenance.
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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.
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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
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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 ...