Despite the serious risks associated with sub-standard products, there are currently no mandatory standards in place to regulate the manufacture and sale of flat-roof skylights in the UK. Justin Seldis, Managing Director at leading provider Sunsquare, explains what this means for specifiers – and what they can do to help make a change.

In this article, FC&A speaks with Dr Sarah Peake, Sustainability Manager at Sika UK and market-leading, single-ply roofing manufacturer Sika Sarnafil, about the latest BREEAM standard updates.

When it comes to the decoration of exterior building facades, aesthetic appeal must be balanced alongside key issues such as planning guidelines and maintenance requirements. Kathryn Lloyd, Colour Specialist from leading paint manufacturer Crown Paints, explains how the confident use of colour can assist specifiers in creating building designs that stand the test of time.

Established approximately 20 years ago, Staticus is one of the biggest building facade contractors in Northern Europe, with a factory in Lithuania, an R&D centre in Vienna and offices in Norway, Sweden and London. Staticus was appointed by HG Construction on behalf of Alumno Developments to deliver the building facade for the Aspire Point development – student accommodation for Queen Mary University of London.

Assurance of quality and safety are key to building product specifiers, installers and end-users. But how do you know the product being considered matches its published specification? It’s an issue that has become more critical post-Grenfell and one that the British Board of Agrément – the UK-leading building products certification body – had been considering for some time. Its answer, launched last year, was the ground-breaking Product Excellence Programme (PEP). Here Head of the BBA Testing Unit, Alvaro Enguita-Gonzalez, explores the objective of the programme.

Following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, the negative spotlight on cladding materials had a major knock-on effect for the construction industry, from builders and sub-contractors to architecture firms. Days after the incident, cladding installed on buildings more than 18m in height was called into question by the Government, leading to significant increases in premiums for Professional Indemnity Insurance. Bryan Banbury, Managing Director of leading independent insurance broker Russell Scanlan, discusses the impact on the insurance industry and advises how companies can plan ahead when renewing policies.

The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) has completed the first of a series of unique ‘day trip cabins’, built to make treks in the Norwegian Mountains more accessible for novice hikers and explorers.

MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, has revealed its design for ‘Courtyard Kindergarten’ in Beijing. Located on the site of a traditional siheyuan courtyard that dates back to 1725, MAD’s scheme includes a new building that not only protects the existing buildings but also restores them for use. The design features a dynamic floating roof that surrounds the historical courtyard. While preserving the cultural heritage of the site, it forms a multi-layered urban narrative, where old and new coexist.

Award-winning architect and interior design practice gpad london has completed Stylus, a high-end office redevelopment in the St. Luke’s conservation area in Old Street. Dating from 1886, the facade is the only original feature retained.

Have you ever needed to ‘go’ when away from home, and not been able to easily find a toilet? Add to that feeling the fact that you need more space, or special equipment, or that you’ve had an accident because of continence problems.