Building Insights

Jon Lowy talks James Parker through the ins and outs of performance specifications, why they’re important for specifying zinc roofs and walls correctly, and what architects tend to get wrong. He also explains how VMZINC is helping specifiers navigate current territory where cost-based value engineering is still occurring, even post-Building Safety Act.

In association with RENOLIT, ADF editor James Parker speaks to Steve Hatcher, UK Technical Manager at RENOLIT ALKORPLAN. He explains how the company’s ‘pure white’ ALKORPLAN Bright roofing membrane provides class-leading solar reflectance to help offset cooling requirements as well as bringing other sustainability benefits.

The need to increase the efficiency of water appliances and fixtures in commercial environments is becoming increasingly acute for clients and specifiers tasked with sustainability goals. However it is low on the agenda compared to carbon, and low on regulation, so we brought together a panel of experts from the construction and water sectors to help establish the practical challenges and solutions. This important and challenging discussion, sponsored by Delabie, Cistermister and eco-sistem, showed how water savings could be harnessed to carbon goals to drive better specification in the commercial sector, to combat the lack of incentives and targets.

James Parker, managing editor of Housing Management and Maintenance magazine, presents a special edition of Building Insights focusing on the Building Insights LIVE round table held to discuss the Social Housing (Regulation) Act. Beginning with Awaab’s Law this October, the legislation has been called “the most significant reform of the sector in more than a decade,” and places a new set of requirements on landlords to ensure that social housing is healthy and safe.

This crucial issue was the topic of the first Building Insights LIVE round table to be held under the banner of Housing Management and Maintenance magazine. This podcast contains highlights from the discussion, which was guest chaired by Matt Baird, co-chair of Spring Housing Association. The round table included, from the social housing sector, Billy Cliffen of Riverside Housing Association, Stephanie Goad from Golding Homes, and Lee Reevell of Halton Housing in Widnes. From academia was Dr Douglas Booker, Indoor Air specialist at the University of Leeds, and Dr Hector Altamirano-Medina from the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings. We were also joined by Andrew Burke of the National Housing Maintenance Forum, Sarah Garry of the Property Care Association, Amy Bentall from law firm Trowers & Hamlins, Dale Holroyd of ZapCarbon, and Hony Premlal, chair of Women in Social Housing.

We are grateful to the sponsors Tarmac, WMS Underfloor Heating, and  Cornerstone Management Services, who also contributed to the discussion.

In association with Kingspan Insulation. James Parker, editor of ADF, is again joined by Rita Singh, head of public affairs at Kingspan Insulation. She explains the complex and rigorous lengths the company goes to in order to show its products are compliant with relevant regulations.

In this Ask the Expert episode of Building Insights, in association with Charlton and Jenrick, managing editor of The Selfbuilder, James Parker, speaks to Peter Mintoft, MD of the fire and stove manufacturer. He explains the options for self-builders looking to create an eye-catching and efficient secondary heat source for their home.

In this special episode of Building Insights, James Parker visits the HQ of Futurebuild in Twickenham, to speak to event director Martin Hurn about the changes and sustained selling points the show has seen over its 20 year history.

James Parker speaks to managing director of SME developer City & Country Wayne Douglas, about the crucial contribution that SME firms like his are making to the delivery of good quality housing in the numbers asked for by Government. However he explains how the smaller end of the sector is being continually squeezed on viability, and why more support is needed now. 

In this audible article, Dulux Heritage's Dawn Scott explains why selecting the right paint colours for each room is more than just a matter of aesthetics. It involves understanding how colours interact with light, influence mood, and establish a sense of continuity.

Highlights from the Building Insights LIVE round table staged in November 2024 at the Building Centre on Water & Energy Saving Innovations in New Build Housing. Sponsored by Hansgrohe, Triton Showers, and waste water heat recovery solutions supplier, Showersave, it featured housebuilders Vistry and Barratt Homes, Thames Water, and the Future Homes Hub, among others.