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In this issue, we bring you news on John Lewis' plan to build homes for rent, aluminium decking, composite doors, and more. Contact us

Steeling yourself for the future

Stuart Judge of the Steel Window Association considers the performance benefits of contemporary steel frames in terms of meeting the future challenges for housebuilding. Britain can take pride in the way its big pharmaceutical companies and top research universities responded to the pandemic over the past year. We have proved we are world.... Read more...
Published 05/07/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

John Lewis to build 10,000 homes for rent

Retailer John Lewis is reportedly set to construct 10,000 homes for rent over the next few years, largely utilising its existing sites. Reports in the Sunday Times said the department store chain’s move into the residential property market is being driven by concerns around the national housing shortage. The plans are also expected to give the firm a stable.... Read more...
Published 05/07/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

Taking the long view

Simon Storer of the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA), explains why a fabric-first approach to design, combined with a long-term outlook, is the way forward to improve future building performance and cut emissions. Building for the future, with legacy in mind, is a major challenge for all architects. Faced with the ambitious net zero target for 2050.... Read more...
Published 06/07/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

New arrivals

Making an entrance has changed – door materials have developed far beyond traditional options to offer composite alternatives which provide a wide choice of styles as well as practicality. Chantel Roach of Distinction Doors explains all. PVCu panel doors, alongside timber doors, dominated the UK domestic entrance door market from the mid-1970s.... Read more...
Published 06/07/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

Smooth start, perfect finish

Specifying beautiful floorcoverings for a new property can transform the appearance of a room dramatically. Today there are so many options from traditional carpet to wood, ceramic and porcelain floor tiles and, increasingly, luxury vinyl tiles, offering a plethora of styles and designs. But optimising the aesthetic appearance of floorcoverings to reflect.... Read more...
Published 29/06/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

Designs taking flight

Eric Nicholls of Spiral UK explores the different options for feature staircases available to housebuilders and developers, detailing the benefits of each. Choosing a staircase sounds easy – after all a staircase has only one function – but why should residents suffer a monotonous trudge up and down steps every day when they could enjoy descending.... Read more...
Published 21/06/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

Permanance and sustainability

Among the many benefits aluminium has to offer, Andrew Cross of Kestrel Aluminium discusses its ability to forecast the cost of maintenance over a system’s design life. With increasing pressure to specify building systems offering clearly defined sustainability, the use of materials that embody recycling as an inherent feature is becoming increasingly.... Read more...
Published 16/06/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

Short supply

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), explores how the shortage of construction materials is constraining small builders’ ability to ‘build back better.’ Since the coronavirus pandemic, many small to medium-sized (SME) construction firms have struggled to access the materials they need. Builders can no longer rely on.... Read more...
Published 14/06/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

The safe bet for decking

William Hogg of Ecodek discusses the options for blending safety standards and sustainability with striking design when it comes to aluminium decking. The specification of non-combustible building materials in the design of high-rise buildings has never been such a prevalent issue for architects, with balconies, roof terraces and walkway constructions demanding fire rated.... Read more...
Published 07/06/2021 via materialsforarchitecture.co.uk

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