Building for what's next is a new podcast for UK architects, focused on compliance confidence and the practical realities of the Building Safety Act—delivered as concise, credible conversations with clear takeaways. Brought to you by wienerberger.

As architects balance greater regulatory scrutiny with increasingly complex technical requirements, many are gravitating towards tried-and-tested solutions to reduce risk and gain approval – potentially limiting the freedom to explore more ambitious ideas.

In this episode of building for what's next, architectural director Kristofer Adelaide joins Manuela Fazzan, director of commercial propositions at wienerberger, to explore one of the biggest questions facing the profession: can creativity and compliance coexist?

We discuss:

• How increased regulation can influence specification and design decisions, potentially driving more standardised, risk-averse solutions
• Why bringing compliance considerations into the design process earlier could protect creative freedom, rather than restrict it
• How external technical expertise and digital tools such as BIM can help architects approach complex design decisions with more certainty

The conversation explores how architects can continue to challenge convention and create ambitious designs, while navigating the increased scrutiny and responsibility of today's regulatory environment.

Building for what's next is a new podcast for UK architects, focused on compliance confidence and the practical realities of the Building Safety Act—delivered as concise, credible conversations with clear takeaways. Brought to you by wienerberger.

What does Building Control really expect from architects?

As architects face greater responsibilities under the Building Safety Act, navigating regulatory requirements can sometimes feel complex and open to interpretation.

In this episode of Building for What's Next, wienerberger is joined by building control expert, John Palmer, executive member of the Association of Building Control Approvers (ABCA) and managing director of OWL Building Control Solutions, to bring greater clarity to the building control process.

We discuss:

• Common misunderstandings around Approved Documents and other regulatory guidance, and how architects can demonstrate a clear route to compliance
• The role of Building Control – including when architects can reasonably seek regulatory advice from approvers
• Knowing the limits of professional competence and when to bring in specialist expertise
• What a strong application to Building Control looks like in practice, and where the responsibilities of the principal designer differ from those of the principal contractor

The conversation explores some of the grey areas architects are navigating today, offering practical insight to help build greater confidence in the decisions they make.

Building for what's next is a new podcast for UK architects, focused on compliance confidence and the practical realities of the Building Safety Act—delivered as concise, credible conversations with clear takeaways. Brought to you by wienerberger.

The first episode will be published in September. Subscribe today to make sure you don't miss out