Two major benefits, surprisingly, have come along in the wake of Coronavirus. These are a greater awareness of the community (the wartime spirit) and greater awareness about keeping healthy, active and interested (both personal and public). The best architects and designers have always realised that these factors are fundamental to the success and appreciation of well-designed public buildings.

With sustainability high on the corporate agenda, many construction businesses are looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint by choosing greener building materials, some even made from waste carbon dioxide. But could they be doing more?

As Associate Director at gpad london, David Walker has had a colourful and varied career. Graduating from Sheffield University during a recession, he then moved to Budapest for a couple of years and Berlin for three more, working for Daniel Libeskind. Here, David talks to FC&A about his diverse career.

Last month’s report from Government-funded research group, Energy Systems Catapult (ESC), should serve as a wake-up call for UK business and industry. The ambition to go carbon-neutral by 2050 is, as the document concedes, achievable, but only if we act dynamically and radically, writes Charlie Ayers, Managing Director & Founder at SureCav.

In recent years, green roofs have become increasingly popular throughout the UK, with industry experts estimating that the number of ‘gardens in the sky’ being installed across the UK has risen by 40% since the start of the decade. Dave Maginnis, Managing Director at BriggsAmasco, highlights how these earthy installations are helping transform London’s landmark Battersea Power Station site – one of the largest redevelopment spaces in Europe – into a thriving mini-city.