Neil Turner, Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems, advises on designing airtight buildings while protecting against moisture damage. Creating an airtight home is a fundamental part of modern building design, supporting energy efficiency and building performance, from meeting regulatory requirements through to high-performance standards such as Passive House. An airtight home eliminates leaks in the building envelope that should not exist. This is crucial for maint

Tradie influencers could play an increasingly important role in inspiring the next generation of construction workers, according to new research from Barratt Redrow . More than half (58%) of Gen Z are now watching trade, DIY and building content on social media, highlighting the growing visibility of skilled careers online. To better understand this trend, Barratt Redrow surveyed 2,000 young people aged 13–28 about their attitudes toward apprenticeships, university and caree

A comprehensive refurb of the Mere Golf Resort & Spa included a completed M & E upgrade, delivered by AB Engineering, has given the site a high performance and cutting-edge building services across the hotel, spa and conference facilities. The multifaceted site has buildings dating back to 1924, meaning that a flexible design and technology approach was needed to deliver high volumes of DHW with limited onsite plant space – hence the Rinnai Hybrid system that combines high ef

Rotpunkt , leading manufacturer of climate friendly German fitted furniture continues to make a difference to UK retailers having won ‘Best Kitchen Stand over 30m2’ at Kbb Birmingham, following the debut of its brand-new 2026 Collection that serves every room in the home. Introducing a cross-programme of new furniture concepts, materials, and décors, Rotpunkt showcased two hero kitchen displays that celebrated the key characteristics of Scandinavian design, alongside a fu

Pyroguard, the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass, has been specified as part of the transformation of the former corporate office headquarters of telecommunications company Canal+ into an ambitious mixed-use development in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. Originally constructed in 2002, the 28,000 m² l’Eiffel building comprises eight superstructure levels and five basement levels. Its reinvention required far more than a conventional refurbishment; it de

Ideal Commercial Heating – the UK’s market leader in high-efficiency commercial heating solutions – has expanded its CIBSE-approved training portfolio with the launch of a new CPD: ‘Commercial heat pump system design & specification’. This latest CPD provides engineers with a comprehensive guide to selecting, designing and specifying commercial heat pump and hybrid heating systems, helping them navigate the accelerating shift towards low-carbon heat in commercial buildings.

A collaboration between Proctor Group and one of the north-east’s leading independent training providers is helping to share knowledge about up-to-date roofing products and practices. Optimum Skills Ltd, based in Gateshead, operates three construction academies training young people in slating, tiling and flat roofing (as well as bricklaying, joinery and groundworks). They work with all major roofing contractors in the north-east, helping apprentices through pre-apprenticeshi

Makita has expanded its professional cordless range with the introduction of the brushless and high performance BN001GZ and BN002GZ Framing Nailers. Built on Makita’s advanced XGT ® 40VMax platform, the models combine power, precision and reliability to deliver quality results no matter what the task is at hand. The new framing nailers deliver powerful performance combined with the freedom and efficiency required on construction sites. Both offer a true pneumatic feel due

More than 12,000 square metres of a former tea factory is being transformed into a state-of-the-art broadcasting facility for the BBC – and Proctor Group’s Wraptite® membrane is playing a part in bringing “a 100-year-old industrial building back to life for the next 100 years.” The Typhoo Tea Building occupies a full city block in Digbeth, Birmingham, near to the city’s HS2 terminal. The factory has gone unused for four decades, but is being turned into a net zero carbon work

Keane Grantham, Marketing Manager at Roseview Windows, explains how thermal performance and practical design is reshaping window specification in commercial and heritage projects. For a product that has been part of Britain’s architectural language for centuries, the sash window is evolving in response to the demands of modern construction. In today’s commercial market, windows are no longer assessed on appearance alone. Architects and specifiers are balancing aesthetic inten

A Yorkshire based heating and renewables engineer, serving commercial as well as residential clients, has been making extensive use of high-performance valves and other products from the range of Anglo-Swedish manufacturer, ESBE, in building his business. Damon Blakemore began his career undertaking an apprenticeship with the local authority, gaining NVQ levels 2 and 3, and has also undertaken training at the Northampton Heating Academy in hydronics; also recently reaching th

Funding provided as part of planning agreements for new homes intended for improvements to local infrastructure and amenities is sitting idle in council accounts, according to research by the Home Builders Federation (HBF). The money paid as part of planning agreements for new housing developments includes £6.6 billion from Section 106 agreements and more than £2.2 billion raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The findings come from a Freedom of Information

Lighthouse Charity speaks with Roma Agrawal MBE, Structural Engineer, Author and Broadcaster Roma Agrawal has spent her career shaping the built world and cites her career highlight as the six years she spent working on the tallest building in Western Europe - the Shard , designing the foundations and the iconic spire. She was also part of the transformation of Crystal Palace station. She continues to influence the way we talk about engineering itself, so as part of the Light

Josh Collins, Heat Networks Manager at Altecnic, explores how BESA’s HIU Test regime is shaping the future of heat networks. The UK’s transition toward low-carbon heat networks is about both scale and quality. With over 50,000 Heat Interface Units (HIUs) installed each year, ensuring these devices perform to a consistently high standard has never been more urgent. Poorly performing HIUs can impact the overall health of a Heat Network, which will subsequently lead to higher en

With momentum for sustainable solutions continuing to accelerate due to net-zero initiatives such as clean energy, decarbonisation, and water conservation, there is a compelling case for specifiers to ensure that sustainability is embedded at the heart of every project. As a topic that remains at the top of the agenda, it can be challenging for industry professionals to cut through the net-zero noise and identify practical, specification-led changes that align with evolving