Only last month, I was talking of the unbearable heat we were experiencing here in the UK. Following several additional weeks of sweltering temperatures and a recently-actioned hosepipe ban, our call for a much-needed downpour was finally answered. Whilst the rainfall's cooling effects were most certainly welcomed, some parts of the south of England, unfortunately, suffered from extreme showers. This, of course, resulted in flash floods in areas such as Central London, Kent, Devon and Cornwall. In fact, in mid-August, the Met Office issued 17 flood alerts and predicted up to 100mm of rainfall in some locations.

As we've been advised by environmental professionals over the years, such drastic and prompt changes to the weather is unquestionably a cause for concern, and these meteorological shifts are beginning to palpably take shape. As such, we must adapt current practices to protect ourselves from swiftly-moving, potentially perilous weather conditions.

For example, in this month's issue, Ian King, COO at Zeroignition, talks to us about the 'invisible dangers of timber construction'. Here, he not only discusses the vital use of fire retardants in the wake of record temperatures and destructive wildfires, but he also explains how architects and specifiers must consider the risk of toxic pollution caused by harmful chemicals found in fire retardants. Turn to page 20 to read the full article.

Elsewhere, James Walsh, CEO of Studio Anyo, fills us in on what inspires him and how young architecture students can get ahead, Allen Coldrake from Carlisle Construction Materials discusses the Ecodorp project and we profile Konstantin Arkitekter's Qaammat Pavilion in west Greenland.

ON THE COVER:
The CASAMIRADOR Savassi residential building is located in Brazil and features boldly-designed architecture that stands out in the local landscape.

Rebecca Kemp
Editor

rebecca@redhutmedia.com