Chris Rand, Category Marketing Manager – EFS from Forbo Flooring Systems, explores how entrance flooring systems can provide function and design while creating eye-catching interiors. First impressions count. That’s why entrance flooring systems are so important, not only performing a functional role but an aesthetic one too. Entrance flooring is important in all buildings, but especially so for the education, healthcare, retail and office sectors – where you can expect to se

Neelam Bala, Technical & Specification Manager at Geberit, explores the potential of digital platforms to enhance design coordination, reduce installation errors and raise standards. The bathroom industry is undergoing a significant digital shift, with advanced software platforms now integral to design and specification.  Whether it’s behind or in front of the wall, tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), 2D/3D modelling and prefabricated design are giving those t

Reynaers Aluminium UK was named as the winner of the ‘Commercial Project of the Year’ at this year’s G-awards in recognition of its involvement in the high-profile Wembley Park regeneration project.   Reynaers received the prestigious award for its contribution to the Wembley NEO2 and NEO3 high rise buildings where its innovative systems helped to achieve developer Quintain’s vision for this ambitious £227m project.    The Reynaers team were joined by representatives from Eve

Fire protection solutions manufacturer Advanced has supplied intelligent fire panels as part of a £3.5m project to improve fire safety at Cloud Student Homes’ Canterbury Student Village sites.  With fire safety a priority, it was vital to replace the existing fire alarm system in Kentish House, Behn Hall and Tallis Court. However, as the buildings were occupied, the challenge was to keep the existing fire system working while the Advanced panels were being installed to ensure

Shoreham Beach House is a private development in Sussex designed using Passivhaus principles and the Schöck Isokorb T type S. Specify & Build reports. Shoreham Beach House is a private residential development at Shoreham-by-Sea in Sussex. Jim Miller Design, a leading architectural practice based in Hove, has designed the project using Passivhaus principles. One of the challenges of the project involved the extensive number of connections between the internal and external stee

Paul Duffy, Managing Director of Onduline Building Products, discusses the challenges and opportunities shaping the roofing market over the past year, and where the sector is heading in 2026. The UK roofing and construction sectors faced another challenging year in 2025, particularly across commercial and non-residential construction. Slow new project starts, higher business taxation, building regulation delays and persistent labour shortages continued to affect timelines and

Grange Design is indulging the latest trend for grey bathroom interiors by showcasing its range of contemporary Atlantic basin mixers in complementary polished chrome and matt black finishes. From polished and raw concrete walls to natural slate tiles, grey-coloured sanitaryware and cool metallic finishes, the colour grey is lending itself to monochromatic bathroom schemes by creating a calming environment, which appears to be larger than it is. In fact, light grey is now con

The Radiator Company has launched Accorto – a slimline towel rail that combines sleek, minimalist design with high performance for modern bathrooms. This flat-fronted steel towel rail offers a clean finish with a slim, flat vertical panel that radiates heat across the entire surface. The Accorto has the option of one or two integrated horizontal brushed stainless steel towel bars, which can be colour-matched. A range of customisation options include a choice of over 200 colou

Engineered stone worktops are a smart specification for housebuilders looking to add value and appeal to new kitchens, according to Joanne Bull of Königstone. Often referred to as quartz, engineered stone worktops offer the luxurious look of natural stone with enhanced durability. They’re scratch- and stain-resistant, easy to maintain, and don’t require sealing – making them ideal for busy households. Available in a wide range of colours and finishes, these surfaces suit ever

Stuart Reynolds, UK Marketing & Product Management Director at AKW, discusses how bathrooms can be a difficult place for those living with dementia and how this space can be adapted to better suit them. With an ageing population, it is no surprise that dementia is on the rise in the general population. However, building specifications to accommodate this issue are playing catch up. This guidance is based on work with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development

TG Escapes explores Surrey County Council’s blended estates strategy for the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in schools and educational establishments. At the recent Education Estates conference, Euan Leslie, Programme Manager for Surrey County Council, along with Chris Leese, Technical Director at TG Escapes Modular, presented “ ModernMethods,InclusiveFutures ”, a detailed look into a highly successful programme for expanding Special Educational Needs

The Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort – winner of the Best UK Hotel Spa award 2024 – is taking its visitor experiences to the next level, with contribution from Gilberts Blackpool. The globally renowned venue has invested £16m in a new Woodland Spa thermal experience set within the facility’s 100-acre grounds in the heart of Lancashire. The three-storey building includes a gym, bar, restaurant, treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, indoor swimming pool plus jacuzzi, salt steam room a

Jack Aluminium Systems has achieved STS202-BR2 approval for its TD68 thermal door system, confirming its capability to meet BR2-level security performance – equivalent to LPS1175 SR2. The approval has already acted as a catalyst for increased Q4 sales, as specifiers and fabricators look for aluminium alternatives to steel in high-security projects. Historically, STS202-BR2 approvals have been achieved mainly by steel doorsets. The standard measures a door’s ability to resist

Northwest contractor Winrow Building Services has recently completed the installation of a new high-performance system for heating and hot water production at a 111-bedroom hotel in Birmingham City Centre.  The hotel is part of one of the world’s biggest chains and the system has been augmented with SPF calculations and complete system integration for maximum operational efficiencies.   The new system consists of two 27kW R290 heat pumps, optimised with a bespoke 800-litre pr

Alex Brock, Senior Pre-Construction Manager at B&K Hybrid Solutions, explores timber’s growing use in leisure facilities and explores the Cozenton Park Sports Centre project. In the ever-evolving landscape of leisure, the use of engineered timber has emerged as a key material. Sustainable, efficient, and visually striking, timber has become the material of choice for forward-thinking developments across the UK.  Few projects demonstrate this better than the newly completed Co