A recent project in Surrey showcased Apex’s full design‑to‑install capability: a SIPS timber frame system supplied and installed for a developer constructing two new‑build, single‑storey, five‑bedroom homes. Designed to achieve excellent insulation performance and airtightness, all SIP panels were fully designed, engineered, and manufactured in‑house by Apex. As with all Apex timber frame builds, SterlingOSB Zero was used extensively to sheath the external wall panels, contri

West Fraser’s 2025 Sustainability Report is bringing new clarity to the role timber can play in reducing the climate impact of buildings, revealing that the use of wood products helped avoid an estimated 19.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions in 2025. The figure comes from the company’s latest analysis of “displacement”, the measurable emissions avoided when timber is used instead of more carbon-intensive materials such as steel and concrete. Photograph courtesy of U

Niall Crosson, Group Technical Director at Ecological Building Systems, draws on 25 years’ industry experience to make the case for ‘Building Better’, learning from vernacular building traditions and applying those principles to contemporary design and specification. Niall Crosson, Group Technical Director at Ecological Building Systems “Long before UK Building Regulations, performance targets or embodied carbon metrics were introduced, buildings were designed around a simple

FP McCann has successfully supplied and installed its prestressed precast hollowcore flooring system for a new care facility currently under construction in Milton Keynes, further demonstrating the benefits of off-site manufactured structural solutions within the healthcare and residential sectors. Located within the modern Brooklands community to the east of the city, the purpose-built Rosebrook Care Home is set to open in 2027. Once complete, the development will provide a

Drive north across the border and something quietly different begins to reveal itself in how homes are built. It’s not immediately obvious in the streetscape, but beneath the surface Scotland has, over time, reshaped the fundamentals of housing delivery - how homes are constructed, who builds them, and how confidently the system moves toward its targets. At a moment when England’s construction sector is grappling with the dual pressures of scale and sustainability, Scotland’s

Designing homes that perform for the long-term means creating dwellings that are durable, energy-efficient, comfortable, adaptable, and environmentally responsible throughout their entire lifespan, not just when they are first built. West Fraser’s consistent goal is to design and manufacture panel products that meet customer’s (trade and consumer) needs, minimise running and maintenance costs, and reduce environmental impact over many decades. A key way this is achieved is th

FP McCann’s specialist precast concrete installation team is building a multi-vehicle docking and insulated Prowall system on a brand-new commercial and distribution centre in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Principal construction specialist Volker Fitzpatrick is undertaking Phase 3 of Symmetry Park for client Tritax Big Box Developments Ltd. On completion later this year, Warburtons, Britain's largest bakery brand, will take up a cross-docked office and distribution space coverin

The redevelopment of an existing commercial property in Epsom, Surrey, creating new apartments includes a challenging conversion of the former basement car park into habitable space: requiring the deepening of the floor level, together with the DPC barriers, to which the inherent waterproof qualities of Marmox Multiboard have made a significant contribution. The multi-million pound project with London based LWJ Construction Limited being the specialist sub-contractor undertak

Serving the UK construction sector with solutions backed by global engineering expertise, SFS manufactures high-performance fastening systems, assemblies, precision-engineered mouldings and other products ideally suited to the evolving demands of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), as highlighted in its newly published MMC guide. Citing the mission of “Inventing success together,” the 16-page A4 publication offers system designers, engineers, offsite fabricators and contrac

FP McCann's universal segmental shaft rings have recently been specified in the build of two 12.5m id humus tanks as part of Southern Water’s on-going capital programme of work to upgrade its network of water treatment sites. The Tangmere Wastewater Treatment works near Chichester in West Sussex has just seen the completion of £7m worth of work including a new storm tank and the two new humus settlement tanks. The work is designed to improve water quality in the Aldingbourne

In discussion with Philip Chambers, Business Development Manager (Modern Methods of Construction) at SFS... Modern Methods of Construction (or Industrialised Construction as it's now becoming known as) have been a slow burn for the UK construction industry, with the ingrained working practices of traditional building techniques and the cost required for dynamic change often inhibiting the progress which many could see was essential to unleash productivity, safety and other

For architects seeking to design grand, timeless entrances for prestigious projects, few architectural features are as effective and enduring as the portico. It often evokes classical architecture (Georgian, neoclassical) and gives a building a sense of prestige and permanence making even a modest house feel more substantial. Haddonstone, the UK-based specialist in cast stone, is seeing continued interest in its portico range as designers look to combine timeless aesthetics w

Offsite construction has moved from niche curiosity in the 1990’s to mainstream necessity today as the industry is being reshaped by the demand for faster build times, higher energy performance, and precision‑engineered components. This shift places Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) at the centre of the transformation - driving manufacturers, developers and material suppliers to rethink how homes are designed, manufactured and assembled. Against this backdrop, products tha

As part of a full restaurant redevelopment, Pesto at the White Swan in Wythall sought to increase covers while enhancing the dining experience for customers, preserving the existing building’s character and welcoming pub aesthetic. A Solarlux Atrium Plus enclosed glazed canopy and Proline S sliding glass doors were selected to extend the dining area, providing an adaptable, contemporary indoor-outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round. A bespoke glazed atrium designed t

A strong and reliable supply chain is essential to the continued growth of offsite construction in the UK, and the collaboration between West Fraser and Kirkwood Timber Frame Ltd is a clear example of how aligned partnerships are helping to deliver high-quality timber buildings at scale. Founded in August 2021, Kirkwood Timber Frame has quickly established itself as a dynamic manufacturer of open and closed panel timber frame systems, supplying projects across Scotland, the H

As UK builders face growing pressure to balance performance, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility, SterlingOSB Zero provides a practical and adaptable solution. Its ability to perform across multiple applications means it can often replace several different panel types within a single project, simplifying procurement and ensuring greater consistency across the build. West Fraser 's SterlingOSB Zero is a high-performance, sustainable panel solution that meets the

Home renovators, self-builders and construction professionals are invited to visit The National Self Build and Renovation Centre Spring Show on the 15th and 16th May, where Ecological Building Systems will be showcasing practical solutions for both new build and retrofit projects. Visitors will be able to explore two dedicated exhibition stands from Ecological Building Systems, one focused on retrofit solutions and the other on timber frame new build systems. Technical spec

Architects today are under more pressure than ever. Tighter programmes, complex planning constraints, heightened sustainability targets and exacting clients mean there is little room for friction anywhere in the supply chain. When it comes to cast stone, architects are not simply looking for a manufacturer; they are looking for a partner who understands design intent, technical reality, and the long-term value of the buildings they create. Here, based on years of close collab

West Fraser’s CaberDek structural flooring has been specified by Essex‑based housebuilder Bocking Homes on a 10‑home residential scheme, helping to protect floor quality during construction while supporting programme efficiency and high standards at handover. Founded in 2017, Bocking Homes is a privately-owned, SME housebuilder delivering small to mid‑scale residential developments across Essex. The business focuses on creating high‑quality family homes, with robust construct

Toby Marlow, Haddonstone's Building and Construction team director, discusses... As the built environment confronts the twin pressures of climate responsibility and an ageing building stock, retrofitting has shifted from a niche intervention to a fundamental design imperative. Across cities and communities, architects are challenged to elevate the performance of existing structures while honouring the architectural narratives they embody. Retrofitting offers a powerful means

Building on its well-founded reputation as a manufacturer of cladding support systems and high-performance fasteners, SFS Group Fastening Technology has developed an advanced, user-friendly new fastening system for installing flat panels across both steel and aluminium sub-frames. Amongst the benefits of the patented Center Point System is the fact that it answers the challenge of accurately positioning the self-drilling, double thread fastener at the exact centre of the hol