As the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the protection, decoration and functionality of natural stone, tiles and a range of other floor covering types, Schlüter-Systems knows that the success of installations relies on the specifiers and installers involved being able to access dependable design guidance, technical support and broader logistical back-up; overseeing a project from concept to completion, and including project warranties

At the 2025 Steel Window Association  awards, the Commercial Project winner was West Leigh ’s Len House project. Andy Bawn, MD of West Leigh, tells us all about the company today. Len House, Maidstone – West Leigh’s meticulous restoration of this Grade II listed Art Deco landmark, featuring like-for-like W20 steel windows and doors, curved frames, and bespoke detailing to preserve its historic character   What is your core business? Andy Bawn, Managing Director for West Leigh

The previously underused 5-acre gardens around the Natural History Museum in London have been remarkably transformed in a scheme by architects Feilden Fowles. Working closely with landscape  architects J & L Gibbons, and a design team including Gitta Gschwendtner, engineers HRW and Max  Fordham, a new urban oasis has been created alongside a Nature Activity Centre supported by AWS  and Garden Kitchen café. The project rejuvenates the grounds of this well-loved museum and crea

As the development of Collyhurst Village ushers in an exciting new chapter for the community, HMG Paints is proud to play a part in shaping this transformation. As Manchester continues to grow through regeneration, the team at HMG Paints is delighted to welcome new neighbours and support a project that reflects the spirit and heritage of the area.  Working collaboratively with FEC UK and Project Furniture Residential, HMG Paints supplied a full range of interior coatings for

As the annual SterlingOSB Zero/RIBAJ competition celebrated its 10th anniversary,  the 2025 competition entitled Powers of Ten , challenged architects to explore the principles of scale. Entrants were unrestricted by building standards and were free to play with the concept of scale and design a structure from competition sponsor West Fraser's SterlingOSB  Zero . This year's competition winner, Kashdan-Brown Architects, imagined a 1:10 scale model reconstruction of the 140-m

Siderise has launched three new Masonry open state cavity barrier products for 25 and 50mm air-gaps. The fire resistance performance of the three new additions is IFC certified (IFCC), alongside the existing Siderise EWI Open State Cavity Barrier and Firestop s, offering peace of mind that they are suitably tested and independently audited. The three new products that have been introduced are: EW25-FS60 with a 1-hour fire resistance (E 60 I 60) for air gaps up to 25mm.  EW50

Operations Director for Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS), Kris Bennell, reflects on the work to restore three large system glazed bronze shopfronts and the historic doors now opening into the new Ikea store in one of London’s busiest retail locations.     Best known for expertise in repairing ageing steel windows, ASWS, which had previously worked alongside the main contractor, McLaren Construction , drew on its team’s wider experience in heritage work by restoring th

As the annual SterlingOSB Zero/RIBAJ competition  celebrated its 10th anniversary, the 2025 competition entitled Powers of Ten, challenged architects to explore the principles of scale. Entrants were unrestricted by building standards and were free to play with the concept of scale and design a structure from competition sponsor West Fraser 's SterlingOSB Zero . Pictured is West Fraser's marketing manager, David Connacher, and Steve McCloy This year's commended winners, Ste

“ We’re not just making stone - we’re building trust, quality, and heritage that lasts for generations .” Nick Lantsbery, Managing Director, Haddonstone Managing Director Nick Lantsbery As Haddonstone approaches its 55th anniversary in 2026, Managing Director Nick Lantsbery reflects on the company’s performance, its people, and its plans for the future. Despite a challenging construction landscape, Haddonstone has not only maintained its position as a market leader but also s

KEUCO products in ecological mlab.design holiday homes in the Eifel National Park On the outskirts of Eifel National Park, just a short distance from Aachen, six ecological microhouses designed by mlab.design have been developed, seamlessly integrating sustainability, mindful living, and high-quality design within a compact space. The high-quality products from KEUCO are central to the fittings in the bathrooms. They perfectly complement the architecture of the holiday homes

David Connacher, Marketing Manager of West Fraser, discusses the benefits of engineered wood panels It is well accepted that the use of timber panel products began a century back when plywood was first manufactured in quantity . Aeons beforehand, the E gyptians also came to understand the benefit of gluing sections of timber together, enhancing the natural strength of wood fibres by alternating the direction of the grain.  Today, as mankind struggles with huge population gro

KönigNaturals is a stunning collection of granites, quartzites, and dolomites from Königstone , sourced from some of the world’s finest natural stone producers. This curated range celebrates the timeless beauty and individuality of natural materials, offering a luxurious palette of inspiring surfaces for kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.   Among the standout surfaces is Krakatoa, a breathtaking quartzite that illustrates nature’s artistry. As its name suggests, Krakatoa

Keller Kitchens , the leading sustainable kitchen manufacturer offering a huge range of colours, finishes and accessories, is embracing the ‘70’s revival in the home with the Retro Vibes design – which is composed of the Arco model with highlight backs of Bolton Bronzite in the open boxes on the top and in the island.   The Arco is a framed 55mm door with a rounded frame profile and flat centre panel, and available in satin gloss, textured or matt lacquer, in all colours from

West Fraser has always been committed to being at the environmental forefront within its industry. The company promotes the benefits of sustainable forestry , w ith young, fast-growing trees being the lungs of Earth, breathing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during the day to help generate a healthy world in which we can all thrive . The company’s  well - managed stocks  also  provide the raw material for the company’s panel products.  As well as planting more trees t

ISO-Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified to provide energy efficiency improvements to an Edwardian property in Oxfordshire. The move sees WINFRAMER units retrofitted as part of an initiative to bring the poorly insulated solid walled house built in 1909 in Oxford, up to current energy efficiency standards, providing better quality accommodation for the homeowner along with long-term cost savings.   Passivhaus certified and fir

Galway-based artist Ciara O’Neill’s new kitchen was always going to be something special. With a degree in Interior Design, the contemporary artist has a real eye for colour, which features in many rooms throughout her house. So, when it came to designing her new kitchen, she knew a more muted, neutral palette would provide the perfect balance.  “I wanted to create a relaxed neutral space because the other areas of my home have vibrant pops of colour,” Ciara explains. However

The reconstruction of a rambling old farmyard close to Ely in East Cambridgeshire is making use of well proven Marmox Thermoblocks, specified in three widths as the ideal solution for tackling thermal-bridging around the building perimeter as part of a well-insulated design. Mitchell’s Barn is replacing a sprawling complex of dilapidated tin cowsheds and a rather more attractive oak barn which was founded on a plinth of Tudor era bricks. The original planning permission allow

Moveable partitioning experts Style worked with Todd Architects and contractor Felix O’Hare & Co, to divide the Student Hub at Queen’s Business School, Belfast. An impressive 290-seat tiered lecture theatre like this demands an equally remarkable movable wall solution - which is why Style recommended the fully automatic Skyfold Classic 60 system.  This pioneering operable wall is discreetly concealed within the ceiling cavity and descends  gracefully at the push of a button,

By Wojciech Brożyna - MD Aluprof UK  - The Architecture & Building Expo 2025 (ABX 2025) took place at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Dublin on 8-9 October 2025. The event served as a key meeting point for architects, architectural technologists, building professionals and specifiers from across Ireland and beyond. The show featured a broad exhibition scope from smart-home systems and modular building to insulation materials, security systems and façade solutions. This year

As an acknowledged industry expert in the repair and replacement of steel, timber and other fenestration types, Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) was awarded four separate prestigious packages, as well as being tasked with additional project elements, during the conversion of a former furniture warehouse. The high-spec office spaces now afford the occupants contemporary standards of energy performance and amenity. Pictured is The Harrison (formerly Curtain House), Shore

Specialist contractors working on a new high school in Dumfries have shown the ongoing benefits of technical and learning support when it comes to delivering low energy construction. Having already used the A. Proctor Group’s external air barrier, Wraptite®, on a previous project, they have now applied that experience to another LEIP-funded school project. Dumfries High School is a replacement school currently under construction.  It is the second phase of a three-phase proje

St Sidwell’s Point, in the heart of Exeter city centre, is the world’s first Passivhaus-certified, multi-zoned leisure centre. The £44 million, world-leading project includes the A. Proctor Group’s Wraptite® external air barrier as part of the highly efficient external wall construction. The building was designed by Space & Place Architects, alongside Passive House designers Gale & Snowden. On site, it was delivered by main contractor Keir. As well as Passivhaus certification

GEZE UK is delighted to announce that it has been recognised at the National Fenestration Awards 2025, winning the ‘Fire Door Product of the Year’ category for its ‘Slimdrive EMD-F Powered Swing Door Drive System’. The awards took place at Doncaster Racecourse on the 25th October 2025 and welcomed the fenestration industries leading companies from across the UK.  Founded in 2013 in response to extensive support for an independent and all-inclusive event, the National Fenestra

Vicaima, a major European player in the design and manufacture of advanced interior door solutions, has announced the launch of Dekordor® HD Expressions, a new collection of durable and versatile finishes. Engineered to fuse the authentic beauty of woodlook with additional resilience, the range offers a flexible solution that meets the dual demands of the modern construction market: providing architects and designers with sophisticated aesthetics, while assuring developers, c