Increasingly, in the modern construction industry, glass fulfils a number of essential roles, in addition to allowing clear sight lines and the influx of natural light. From privacy and sound proofing to security and fire resistance, it has become one of the most versatile construction materials, as Susan Sinden, Commercial Manager of ESG Group explains.

What’s in store for our office spaces post-COVID-19? Have we woken up to the potential that remote working offers for individual, focused tasks? Here, we talk to one of GT3 Architects’ workplace consultants for some inside knowledge.

Specialist construction lawyer Rebecca Harries-Williams discusses the potential pitfalls associated with modern methods of construction (MMC), particularly the risk of fire. Rebecca, a Senior Associate with national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, says modular construction can be an attractive prospect if the correct care is taken.

Nigel Sanger, Divisional Director Technical Support at RWC UK, looks at how the winter season can affect plumbing and heating systems, and what installers can do to prevent these issues.

Steve Grimwood, Managing Director of Osmo UK, provides an insight into what different wood finishes can achieve – both visually and practically.

Facilities designed to be visited or occupied by people who are extra sensitive to the effects of bacteria and contamination need to pay careful attention to several design and maintenance factors to provide a safe environment with optimised hygiene levels.

Lockdown may have recently ended, but a lot is happening under the covers, and innovators are coming up with great ideas to meet the Government’s net-zero goals. The Climate Change Committee’s ambition is to have 5.5 million heat pumps, recognise hydrogen and decarbonise heat. Here are a few tasters of exciting developments and thoughts.

It’s been around for nearly 50 years, but glass-reinforced concrete (GRC) remains an enigma to many architects and contractors in the UK, says James Butler of Pura Facades.

Scandinavian architecture firm AART has, together with Höegh Eiendom, designed a new landmark building for the new district of Verket in Moss, Norway. With its paper-like architecture, the mixed-use building not only pays homage to the papermaking history of the area. It has also been shaped and folded to take full advantage of the daylight and view of the deep-blue fjord surrounding the district.

The January 2021 edition of Future Constructor & Architect.