Time has a way of rearranging priorities. Between projects and a few private matters, this blog has been unusually quiet for some time. Today it returns – with the clocks of George Sowden. Between 1981 and 1988, the Memphis design collective reinvented virtually every category of domestic object. Yet no other member made the clock […]
Sometimes architects find that their project has a special requirement that can’t be met by standard products or systems. To maintain design integrity, customisation is the preference– and in many cases the only – option. Suppliers can often propose solutions using standard products in a different way from usual or embark on producing something entirely […]
Defined as building components derived from natural, living organisms (such as plants, fungi, and bacteria), biomaterials are experiencing a renaissance. Beyond the most obvious material (i.e. timber), we are beginning to see a broad range of such products in the built environment. One of the key attractions of such materials is that, when specified appropriately, […]
Thermal bridging occurs when heat bypasses insulation through more conductive materials or structural elements within the building envelope. While often considered a detailing issue, its impact extends far beyond individual components – influencing whole-building performance, energy efficiency and occupant comfort. In commercial buildings, unaddressed thermal bridging can reduce the effectiveness of insulation, increase heating and […]
As the industry faces increasing pressure to address embodied carbon, resource depletion and climate impact, architects are facing the challenge of moving from “doing less harm” to actively designing buildings and interiors that contribute positively to environmental and human systems. In this context, in this session of CPD Live, we consider the renewed importance of […]
Distinct from airtightness, weathertightness refers to a building’s capacity to protect itself from external weather conditions, as a means of reducing air/water intrusion and the presence of moisture in the building envelope. The reason weathertightness is important, and the reason architects should seek to create barriers against inclement weather, is that it helps to protect […]
Beyond the noise surrounding its arrival – and the claims of everything from previously-unimaginable efficiency and prosperity on the one hand, to mass unemployment and dystopia on the other – there is no doubting that artificial intelligence is set to change the world. Like it or not, AI is here to stay. That said, the […]
The Livable Housing Design Standard (LHDS) sets out technical provisions to help ensure Class 1a and 2 buildings better meet the needs of the community, including older people and those with mobility limitations. Since its introduction into the National Construction Code (NCC) in 2022, Livable Housing Design is no longer a “nice to have”, but […]
Commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in consumer products (to enhance non-stick coatings and waterproofing properties), and also in firefighting foams and various industrial processes. ‘Microplastics’, on the other hand, are defined as small plastic pieces that measure less than 5 mm in length. […]
There is a particular kind of programmer who learned to code before a chatbot could do it for them. They tend to share a certain stubbornness, a comfort with sitting inside a hard problem until it yields. Akam Hamak is one of them. Long before AI assistants could write software on request, he was already […]
