Although not a recent innovation, self-cleaning renders and paints have made an indelible mark on the construction industry as an ingenious alternative to regular and aggressive building renovation, writes Nikolaos Mantelis, Product Manager at global building materials manufacturer, Baumit.

Historic buildings form a substantial part of our architectural landscape. Often, listed status means that these ageing buildings continue to be celebrated for their significance to the local area. In order to protect these unique spaces for future generations, a sensitive approach must be taken to restoration, ensuring the original architectural characteristics are preserved, as Andy Lake, UK Projects Director for Pyroguard, discusses.

Ted Szuman, Head of Innovation at AkzoNobel UK, discusses the hot topic of future-proofing design that caters to its occupants.

Schöck explores a rare case where permission has been granted to demolish a Grade I listed Nash terrace and convert it back to the residential use for which the early 19th century building was intended. One of the key considerations with the new development was to prevent thermal bridging along the parapets.

Designing a waterproofing scheme is no simple matter. With rainfall averages varying from a few hundred millimetres to several metres depending on where you are in the UK, and most of it undulating, it’s certainly no level playing field. Even when it is, you could still find your building sitting below the water line. Here, Niklas Ullfors, National Technical Manager for Visqueen, lays down some ground rules for specifying successful waterproofing solutions.