In modern architecture, the timeless appeal of brick remains constant. As towns and cities expand and commercial spaces redefine urban aesthetics, architects are continuing to explore innovative ways to integrate traditional materials into contemporary designs. Mathew Davies, National Specification Manager for brick manufacturer Vandersanden, explains how bricks can deliver transformative solutions in commercial architecture.

Unwanted noise in the home continues to have a direct impact on the wellbeing of homeowners, particularly in the bathroom, with research showing that the issue is far bigger than many of us might think. Here, Sophie Weston, Head of Marketing at Geberit, explores the challenges of designing out noise inside the home.

Elettra Bordonaro, Principal and Creative Director at Light Follows Behaviour and Senior Research Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), joins forces with Marina Milosev (BEng MLA) Planning Policy & Gender Specialist. Together, they delve into the often-overlooked realm of urban design, shedding light on the impact of public lighting on safety and gender equality.

Reducing the energy consumption of buildings doesn’t have to be complicated or prohibitively expensive, as a new approach to cutting fuel bills and lowering carbon emissions is demonstrating, says Dominic Wish, HMX UK’s Technical Director.

Fenestration is an important part of the building envelope and one that needs careful consideration to ensure that aesthetic appeal is carefully balanced with increasingly stringent performance requirements. Andrew Cooper, National Specification Manager from Senior Architectural Systems, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned manufacturers of aluminium windows, doors and curtain wall solutions, provides a checklist for compliance and how early engagement can help.