Features

District heating networks are increasing in stature as the Government looks to shrink the country’s carbon footprint and reduce homeowner heating bills. In turn, this has placed the future of traditional fossil fuel heating systems in doubt. Taking this into account, Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing & Technical at REHAU Building Solutions’ division, discusses the latest innovative and efficient technology, and steps companies are taking to drive the new generation of district heating solutions.

In recent years, green roofs have become increasingly popular throughout the UK, with industry experts estimating that the number of ‘gardens in the sky’ being installed across the UK has risen by 40% since the start of the decade. Dave Maginnis, Managing Director at BriggsAmasco, highlights how these earthy installations are helping transform London’s landmark Battersea Power Station site – one of the largest redevelopment spaces in Europe – into a thriving mini-city.

During the summer of 2018, Desjardins Movement’s online services’ office spaces moved to the Montréal Tower, once known as the Olympic Tower of Montréal. Unoccupied since 1987, the tower has transformed into an office space, following the design work carried out by Provencher_Roy.

Located in Sochi – a coastal city on the Black Sea in Russia – Margot Krasojević Architecture has designed an innovative oscillating water column gallery that uses renewable energy to redefine typologies in architecture and the built environment.

After attending South Bank University, completing her Masters at The Bartlett and eventually submitting her PhD, Margot Krasojević went on to work at the offices of Zaha Hadid, NOX, Morphosis and Michael Squire. Fast-forward to 2020, and she has two architecture design studios in London and Beijing. Here, FC&A talks to Margot about her career and finds out what inspired her to take the architectural route.

Minimising energy use in buildings by improving the thermal performance of the building envelope has become increasingly important in the drive for sustainability and energy efficiency. And the prevention of thermal bridging is critical with structural attachments, such as balconies. This was a particularly important consideration at the extensive new Hendon Waterside project.

In the UK, the number of people aged 60 or over is expected to pass the 20 million mark by 2030. With an ageing population, dementia is on the rise. Here, Stuart Reynolds, Head of Product and Marketing at AKW, discusses how architects and house-builders can design longevity into their build projects by creating bathrooms that are more dementia-friendly, promoting both dignity and safety for an ageing population..

A healthy building supports the physical and mental wellbeing of its occupants whilst doing as little damage to the environment as possible. Through the use of natural materials, healthy buildings establish a sustainable and durable structure, establishing a higher energy efficiency, says Adrian Judd, Operations Director at Steico UK

Richard Besant, Sales Director at Powdertech Corby, discusses why the latest powder coatings, when used in combination with aluminium, not only expand design perspectives but also help the environment through promoting the use of sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials.

During construction, buildings can be more vulnerable to fires than when completed. In the event of a blaze, a tall building’s riser often acts like a chimney and, therefore, needs protection to ensure flames do not move from one floor to another, writes Nick Atkinson, Director at Ambar Kelly.