The public plaza at 1221 Avenue of the Americas will become a dynamic public space – an inviting meeting place where people can enjoy the open air and views of surrounding landmark towers.

Ahead of his presentation at the QUALICOAT UK & Ireland conference 2022, ‘Future-proofing Facades’, Naveen Sandhu, UK & Ireland Specification Manager for QUALICOAT-approved system supplier, Akzo Nobel Powder Coatings, explores the fire performance of architectural powder coating.

In this month’s issue, FC&A puts Tim Ward, CEO at Chetwoods, under the spotlight to find out more about his profession. In this Q&A, he explains where his interest in building design began and reveals who influenced his journey into following the architectural career path.

From increasing thermal efficiency and airtightness to reducing carbon emissions and minimising the risk of condensation, building homes that tick all these boxes can be a real balancing act. Here, John Mellor, Senior Product Manager from Glidevale Protect, discusses the benefits of taking a fabric-first approach and explains why collaboration and compliance go hand in hand.

Hollaway Studio has designed the world’s first purpose-built, multi-storey skatepark in Folkestone, UK, as part of a major ongoing programme to regenerate the seaside town. The landmark building features three skateparks, a climbing wall (the tallest in the south east of England) and a boxing ring. It opens to the public this month.

Forme Architecture + Urbanisme has delivered an atypical project – the conversion of a horticultural greenhouse into a hospitality room, located in the private garden of the breast cancer clinic Clinique Saint Jean de Dieu, within a conservation area in Paris.

One of the key design trends of recent years is the installation of feature walls and feature floors – and the popularity of these are showing no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s for a commercial or residential project, feature walls and floors are the ideal way to create an eye-catching space.

Paul Foster is this month’s exclusive Q&A profile. The Associate Director and Healthcare Lead at Sheffield-based practice Race Cottam Associates (RCA) discusses his current portfolio and shares more about his inspiration together with advice for aspiring architects.

A new building in the grounds of historic Trinity College, Oxford, illustrates how 21st Century environmental performance can be married seamlessly with traditional aesthetic requirements.

ASSA ABLOY Project Specification Group is inviting architects and specifiers to complete its practical RIBA-accredited training courses to remain compliant and well-informed.