Callum Jensen, Senior Commercial Manager at Haddonstone, explains what architects and developers should consider when specifying cast stone... Specifying cast stone is about far more than achieving an attractive finish. For architects, housebuilders and developers, the decisions made at specification stage can have a lasting impact on a building’s appearance, durability, and whole-life costs. While it may be tempting to focus on initial purchase prices and ambitious delivery

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

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

Tiles are no longer confined to kitchen splashbacks and bathroom walls. As homeowners become more confident in their decorating choices, tiles are increasingly being used to introduce colour, texture and personality throughout the home. From statement headboards and decorative bathroom details to tiled furniture and creative laying patterns, today’s interiors are embracing a more imaginative approach to surfaces. Maria D Arráez, Director of Tile of Spain UK, shares the new ru

As urban living continues to shape modern home design, compact kitchens are becoming increasingly common. While smaller footprints can present design challenges, they also create opportunities for retailers, designers and installers to demonstrate the value of intelligent planning and innovative storage solutions. Paul Berryman, Head of Life Trade, says, “Creating a successful small kitchen is no longer simply about fitting everything into a limited space. Today’s consumers e

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

Simon Woods, European Sales, Marketing and Logistics Director, West Fraser, explains Embodied carbon is not yet a legal requirement for most UK housing, but it is fast becoming unavoidable. For housebuilders, it is shaping up as the next major structural challenge after energy efficiency, with implications for design standards, material supply, planning consent, and investor credibility. Many large housebuilders are already preparing because early movers, as always, will find

NASA’s first manned flight around the moon for 50 years has sparked fresh interest in space exploration while also reminding us of the tantalising properties to a vacuum: especially back here on earth. As the poster for the original Alien movie said: “In space no one can hear you scream.” There are many industrial applications for vacuum technology, and these continue to expand as technology advances. At the same time, falling costs are making it an increasingly practical s

The ever-tightening regulations and standards, along with the UK’s substantial population growth, mean architects and property designers must design urban spaces with energy efficiency and sustainability at the forefront. Through the integration of resilient and sustainable design strategies, landscape architecture plays a vital role, as Sol Russell, Specification Team Leader at Kinley, writes. While the UK’s decarbonisation journey continues apace, the frequent population ri

Paul Trace From Stella Rooflight Discusses Why Material Choice Matters In Conservation Rooflights Conservation rooflights are often judged on aesthetics first. Sightlines, glazing bars, flush detailing and planning compliance understandably dominate the specification conversation, particularly within listed buildings and sensitive heritage settings. Yet beneath the visual detailing lies a far more important consideration that is still too often overlooked within the industry:

As the UK’s leading authority on steel windows, doors and screens, the Steel Window Association (SWA) represents manufacturers, suppliers and specialists committed to maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship, performance and design across the industry. Here, the SWA talks to leading interior designer, Amelia McNeil, about how steel in the home steals the show for aspirational clients. Internal W20 doors and screens in a Fulham townhouse. Design and vision by Amelia

As the Future Homes Standard (FHS) moves into its final policy stage before implementation, the Waste Water Heat Recovery (WWHR) sector, led by Showersave and Recoup, has identified that the framework may limit opportunities for reducing domestic hot water (DHW) demand – despite hot water accounting for one of the largest energy demands in the homes of the future. The WWHR sector has gathered independent third-party feedback and modelled some national housebuilders’ house t

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

Paul Trace, Director of Stella Rooflight, discusses why authenticity and performance must go hand in hand... There is a well understood principle in conservation and restoration work that extends far beyond architecture: the idea that the method must be appropriate to the material. A stonemason repairing a centuries old wall would not reach for modern cement where lime mortar is required, even if the modern material appears stronger, quicker or more convenient to apply. The w

By Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance.. In February 1877, a fire broke out in a Massachusetts mill. It was, by most accounts, an unremarkable fire and the kind of incident that at any other time would have gutted a building, destroyed livelihoods, and perhaps cost lives. But on this occasion, something different happened. The fire at the American Linen Mill in Fall River was stopped in its tracks before it had the chance to become catastrophic. It was the

By Thomas Roche, Secretary of Business Sprinkler Alliance The huge fire that closed Scotland's busiest railway station for ten days raises a question bigger than its cause. It is the same question raised by a substation fire at Heathrow and a car park fire at Luton Airport: how resilient is our critical infrastructure to the fires that inevitably occur around it? The fire on Sunday 8th March broke out in a retail unit adjacent to Glasgow Central Station. Within hours, the B-l

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

Is the classic shaker kitchen still the nation’s favourite, or are customers beginning to look beyond this enduring design? Long admired for its simplicity, versatility and timeless appeal, the shaker door has dominated British kitchens for decades – but bolder design choices and growing interest in contemporary finishes are starting to reshape the market. Head of Life Trade, Paul Berryman, discusses this classic style and explores how today’s preferences are changing and wha

Every year, design, technology and lifestyle shifts transform the way people experience and interact with their kitchens. Leading distributor of kitchen and bedroom components, PWS, highlights its top 3 influences shaping kitchens in 2026 from the popularity of wood cabinetry to timeless taupe. A nod to nature with oak Offering unparalleled quality, durability and beauty, last year saw a surge in popularity for natural wood-drenched kitchens. Providing quiet luxury and soph

Peter Beighton, Managing Director of heat pump specialist Trianco, addresses current energy costs As UK households continue to face rising energy bills, new analysis highlights how switching to an air‑source heat pump could dramatically cut heating costs - by as much as 60 - 70% compared with electric heaters - while providing a more efficient and sustainable long‑term solution. Heating oil users have recently experienced some of the most dramatic cost increases. MoneySavingE

Here Gordon Hines, UK Technical Manager at SFS Group Fastening Technology Ltd , discusses how the company is aligning its technical services and product information with the expectations of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI). Since the publication of the Hackitt Review in 2018, the construction industry has been on a journey of cultural and procedural change. The subsequent Building Safety Act has brought greater definition to those requirements by placing a