Award-winning Leeds and London based architecture firm Edward Architects has announced a major leadership transition and rebrand, with Director Chris Riley becoming a joint shareholder alongside founder Graham Edward. The practice will now trade as Edward+Riley Architects, formalising a long-term succession strategy designed to ensure continuity for clients, staff and
Fred Nicholson School in Norfolk serves 162 pupils, all of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans identifying learning difficulties and associated complex needs. A number of pupils receive specialist Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) provision. The school operates a personalised curriculum with high staff-to-pupil ratios, and also provides residential accommodation
A recent joint webinar between FIS and Recolight looked at the drive to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment is rapidly shifting beyond operational energy performance and towards the carbon embodied within the products and materials used to create buildings. EPDs: The foundation of carbon measurement Historically, the construction
West Fraser’s 2025 Sustainability Report is bringing new clarity to the role timber can play in reducing the climate impact of buildings, revealing that the use of wood products helped avoid an estimated 19.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions in 2025. The figure comes from the company’s latest analysis
The £5 billion Universal Studios resort planned for Bedfordshire will create far more than a world-class visitor attraction, according to acoustic consultancy Cass Allen; it will also generate one of the most complex environmental noise challenges the region has ever faced – as new transport infrastructure, hotels, housing, commercial developments
GB Bank has supported the first stage of financing a £33 million mixed-use property portfolio across London, completing a structured funding solution in just seven days to help an experienced property investor meet a demanding exchange deadline. Working alongside SHC Capital, GB Bank provided an initial lending facility to be
Workplace consultancy, Blueprint Interiors, is celebrating its 25th year in business with two new appointments, reinforcing its growth ambitions and commitment to investing in people. Tom Beeson has joined the Ashby-based company as Associate Project Director and Gemma Wort as Accounts Assistant Apprentice. Tom’s appointment marks the creation of a
The Schindler X8 elevator has received two coveted international product design awards in recognition of its outstanding aesthetic design. The Schindler X8 has won two of the world’s most respected seals of design quality: a Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026 and an iF DESIGN AWARD 2026. The Schindler X8 impressed
The government’s ambitions to build 1.5 million homes, upgrade home energy standards, and deliver a £725 billion long-term infrastructure pipeline will depend on a significant expansion to the construction workforce – and stronger employer involvement in training the next generation of workers, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) published today.
New research from Landlord Studio reveals the toll MTD is taking on the UK’s landlords, as they increasingly look to rely on letting agents to make sense of the shift New research from Landlord Studio, the property accounting and compliance software company, finds that almost a quarter (22%) of UK
Award-winning Leeds and London based architecture firm Edward Architects has announced a major leadership transition and rebrand, with Director Chris Riley becoming a joint shareholder alongside founder Graham Edward. The practice will now trade as Edward+Riley Architects, formalising a long-term succession strategy designed to ensure continuity for clients, staff and collaborators while supporting the next phase of growth. Founded in 2005, the RIBA-chartered practice has developed a strong reputation across residential, accessible design and strategic land and master planning projects, with studios in Leeds and London and a growing national client base. The practice currently employs 15 staff and is on course to achieve its strongest financial year to date, with turnover expected to surpass £1 million. Chris Riley joined the practice in 2008 as a graduate architect and has progressed through the business over the last 18 years, becoming a director in 2017 and leading the practice’s residential sector work. Graham Edward said the transition reflects the practice’s long-standing commitment to developing talent internally. “We have always believed in training, mentoring and promoting people from within the practice,” he said. “Chris becoming co-owner is the logical next step in that philosophy. He joined us as a student and has grown into a natural leader within the business; not only as a talented architect, but as someone who fully believes in our team culture, values and client relationships. This transition is about continuity. Clients know that the long-term relationships we’ve built over the last two decades remain in safe hands and equally our team can see there are genuine opportunities to progress and shape the future of the business.” Over the last two decades, the practice has expanded significantly in both scale and sector expertise, securing major clients including Gleeson, Lovell, Vistry, The Church Commissioners and Keyland while building a diverse portfolio spanning housing, masterplanning, accessible design, industrial and mixed-use schemes. Projects including the Holbeck Viaduct regeneration initiative have earned the practice national acclaim, with the scheme recently winning Best Future Urban Design Project at the Pineapple Awards 2026. Chris Riley said: “It’s a proud achievement personally and professionally. Graham mentored me from the early stages of my career and I feel like I’ve grown alongside the company and played a significant role in its development. We both share the same vision for the business and that partnership has been one of the key drivers behind its growth. “I’m excited about helping to shape the future of the practice, mentoring the next generation of architects and continuing to provide the same client-focused service that has built our reputation.” The rebrand to Edward+Riley Architects reflects both continuity and future ambition. The practice has ambitious plans for growth over the next five years, including increasing headcount by 25%, promoting talent from within and expanding geographically through a planned North East satellite office, with Manchester also being explored as a future location. The business is also continuing to invest in innovation and operational development, including the integration of AI and evolving digital systems into practice workflows. “Sustainability, legislation and technology are reshaping the profession,” Riley added. “Clients increasingly need architects who can guide them through complexity and deliver both creative and technically robust solutions. We see that as a major opportunity. We’ve always distinguished ourselves by offering expertise across all RIBA work stages – from feasibility and planning through to technical delivery – and by combining strong conceptual thinking with deep technical knowledge.” The practice remains focused on strengthening its three core sectors while expanding geographically and exploring emerging opportunities, including co-living and industrial development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fred Nicholson School in Norfolk serves 162 pupils, all of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans identifying learning difficulties and associated complex needs. A number of pupils receive specialist Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) provision. The school operates a personalised curriculum with high staff-to-pupil ratios, and also provides residential accommodation to support the development of independent living skills. That residential function is what makes this project specification particularly instructive. A single site was required to meet two different levels of fire detection coverage: L2 across the general school estate, and full L1 coverage in the dormitory accommodation, where automatic detection is required across all areas including roof spaces and voids. The L1 requirement places the residential element in the same category as hotels and healthcare buildings: any system design had to reflect that distinction clearly across a unified installation. Addressing the full site with a single specification TP Fire & Security was appointed to design and deliver the upgrade, replacing an existing conventional two-wire system with a modern addressable life safety installation. Hochiki’s ESP addressable range was specified throughout, providing high-performance sensors, input and output modules, and ancillary devices calibrated to the coverage requirements of each zone. The school’s mobile and outdoor teaching provision presented a separate challenge. Extending the addressable system to those spaces without structural cable runs required a wireless solution, and a hybrid-wireless element was incorporated to interface with the main addressable system via a loop-powered translator module. This allowed the detection coverage to follow the teaching activity rather than being constrained by fixed building infrastructure. Minimising disruption in a sensitive environment For any occupied school, installation disruption is a practical constraint. For a school with a high proportion of pupils with ASC, it is a clinical one. Unnecessary noise, unfamiliar activity, or physical disruption to the building environment can cause genuine distress to pupils. The specification had to account for that from the outset. Kevin Harris, Technical Design Manager at TP Fire & Security, explains what shaped the product choice: “A big plus with Hochiki products is how simple they are to install. It’s why they’ve become our go-to supplier for the past 20 years. Many other manufacturers only offer hardwire solutions, and for locations such as schools and care homes, keeping the installation simple and reducing on-site time is a huge win as this helps ultimately to reduce the disruption to both staff, and the day-to-day occupants.” The ease of installation across the ESP range allowed the team to work efficiently across a complex, occupied site without extended periods of intrusive activity. The Fred Nicholson School project illustrates how a carefully specified addressable system can address tiered coverage requirements across a single site with distinct occupancy types. Where the main teaching estate required L2 protection, the residential accommodation demanded L1 coverage consistent with hotel and healthcare standards. Wireless capability extended the system to mobile and outdoor teaching spaces without structural disruption. The result was a compliant, site-wide life safety installation completed with minimal impact on a vulnerable pupil population. Explore the ESP addressable range, including product datasheets and technical documentation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A recent joint webinar between FIS and Recolight looked at the drive to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment is rapidly shifting beyond operational energy performance and towards the carbon embodied within the products and materials used to create buildings. EPDs: The foundation of carbon measurement Historically, the construction industry has focused on operational carbon, emissions from heating, cooling, lighting and powering buildings. However, as buildings become more efficient and the UK’s electricity grid continues to decarbonise, embodied carbon is becoming an increasingly significant part of a building’s total impact. Flavie Lowres who has a dual role of Sustainability Champion for FIS and Recolight explained: “As buildings become more energy efficient, the grid decarbonises, and buildings become less dependent on gas, the proportion of operational and embodied carbon will change. Therefore, it is important that we start to look at embodied carbon emissions as well.” Embodied carbon covers emissions generated throughout a product’s lifecycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing through transport, installation, maintenance and end-of-life disposal. Central to this transition is the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Flavie described an EPD as: “An independently verified and registered document, based on a Life Cycle Assessment that provides transparent and comparable information on the environmental impact across a product lifecycle assessment.” While creating an EPD requires investment, manufacturers do not necessarily need an EPD for every individual product. As Flavie noted: “You don’t have to worry about doing one EPD for every single permutation of your products.” Using product families and scaling methodologies can often provide a practical route to delivering meaningful environmental data without excessive cost. Carbon budgets are becoming standard practice One of the most striking messages from the webinar was how quickly embodied carbon is becoming embedded in mainstream design processes. Rachel Hoolahan, from architectural practice Orms, explained that carbon budgets are now increasingly being set at the earliest design stages and used throughout project development. “When we start with carbon, we’re thinking about it from the very start of any project.” She described how carbon is now treated much like project finances: “We have a base budget set and then a developing budget, where we’re looking to reduce carbon in key areas.” Later in the discussion, she confirmed how widespread the practice has become within her practice: “All of our projects, no matter how big or small, have a carbon budget at this point.” From sustainability claims to evidence For contractors, the demand for reliable environmental data is growing rapidly. James Upstill-Goddard from Willmott Dixon explaines that the sector is moving beyond sustainability marketing claims. “There’s been a shift from claims to evidence.” He highlighted how EPDs help provide confidence in the environmental performance being reported to clients: “It enables us to move more from making generic assumptions about how a product or building will perform to using product-specific data.” The value of EPDs, he explained, extends beyond measurement: “EPDs help us move from just reporting carbon to carbon reduction – actually being able to do something with it.” Frameworks are driving market demand James also highlighted the growing influence of public sector procurement frameworks in accelerating embodied carbon measurement. He noted that the Department for Education’s latest framework represents a significant step change. “The DfE expect that 85% by mass of all materials and products in that school will have an EPD available.” He described this as: “A huge undertaking … but that’s clearly where the industry is going.” As more frameworks and clients adopt similar requirements, manufacturers able to provide verified environmental data will be better positioned to compete. What does this mean for FIS members? The Q&A helped underpin why this is important for FIS members, particularly those supplying fit-out and interiors products, the importance of embodied carbon is only increasing. Ian McIlwee highlighted how fit-out’s relatively short replacement cycles make the issue particularly relevant: “We fit out such a fast cycle. Every five, every seven years, we’re stripping stuff out. We’ve got to be thinking longer term about the decisions that we’re making.” At the same time, speakers stressed that EPDs should not become a barrier to innovation. Rachel cautioned against excluding products solely because they lack an EPD: “The EPD is not the be all and end all.” Whilst it provides the best framework, she added: “I certainly don’t want to stifle innovation.” James reminded agreed, whilst recognising the benefit of consistency, he reflected, the goal is to understand real impacts and support better decisions in the most consistent way possible. Looking beyond carbon The discussion also touched on the next stage of environmental assessment. Rachel suggested that future attention will increasingly focus on wider ecological impacts beyond carbon alone: “We’ve been in a carbon-blinkered world for the past couple of years.” She highlighted growing interest in embodied ecological impact, including factors such as water consumption, pollution and biodiversity. Circularity was another recurring theme. Encouraging manufacturers to think beyond product sales, Rachel urged businesses to consider reuse and refurbishment models: “Circularity is a huge growing piece.” The direction of travel is clear The overall message from the webinar was that embodied carbon is rapidly becoming a key metric alongside cost, programme and quality. Public sector frameworks, client requirements and emerging standards are all pushing the industry towards greater transparency. For manufacturers and suppliers, environmental data is increasingly becoming part of market access. For designers and contractors, it is becoming essential for informed decision-making. As James concluded: “The real value in EPDs is when the important decisions are made.” For FIS members, now is the time to engage with embodied carbon, understand the role of EPDs and prepare for a market where verified environmental performance is no longer optional, but expected.
West Fraser’s 2025 Sustainability Report is bringing new clarity to the role timber can play in reducing the climate impact of buildings, revealing that the use of wood products helped avoid an estimated 19.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions in 2025. The figure comes from the company’s latest analysis of “displacement”, the measurable emissions avoided when timber is used instead of more carbon-intensive materials such as steel and concrete. This growing body of evidence arrives at a crucial moment for the construction sector, where attention is increasingly shifting beyond operational energy use to the full lifecycle impact of buildings. Scope 3 emissions, which include those generated across the supply chain, from material production through to end-of-life, often account for a significant share of a building’s total carbon footprint. By quantifying the emissions avoided through material substitution, West Fraser is helping to illustrate how early design decisions can shape these outcomes. The 19.8 million tonnes of CO₂e figure highlights the scale of opportunity. Rather than focusing solely on reducing emissions within manufacturing processes, the report points to the broader system-level benefit of choosing lower-carbon materials in the first place. Timber, as a renewable material that requires less energy to produce than traditional construction materials, offers a practical pathway to reduce embodied carbon while maintaining performance and structural integrity. For architects, engineers and other specifiers, the findings provide a stronger, evidence-based foundation for selecting timber as part of a low-carbon design strategy. As whole-life carbon assessments become more widely adopted across the built environment, the ability to demonstrate reduced Scope 3 emissions is becoming increasingly important, not only for meeting regulatory requirements, but also for satisfying client expectations and aligning with net-zero commitments. The report also reinforces a shift in thinking across the industry, that decarbonisation will depend as much on smarter material choices as on technological innovation. By capturing and communicating the impact of displacement, West Fraser’s analysis moves the conversation forward, helping stakeholders better understand how the materials specified today will influence emissions over decades to come. As pressure mounts on the construction sector to deliver meaningful carbon reductions, timber is emerging as a credible and scalable solution. West Fraser’s latest findings contribute to a growing consensus that, when sourced responsibly and used effectively, wood products can play a critical role in reducing the climate impact of buildings, particularly in addressing the often overlooked Scope 3 emissions that define their full environmental footprint. For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit Uk.westfraser.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The £5 billion Universal Studios resort planned for Bedfordshire will create far more than a world-class visitor attraction, according to acoustic consultancy Cass Allen; it will also generate one of the most complex environmental noise challenges the region has ever faced – as new transport infrastructure, hotels, housing, commercial developments and leisure facilities emerge around the landmark scheme. While much of the attention surrounding Universal’s arrival has focused on jobs, investment and tourism, the consultancy believes acoustics will become an increasingly important part of the planning process as Bedfordshire prepares for millions of additional visitors each year and the significant development that is expected to follow. The Universal United Kingdom Resort, due to open in 2031, is expected to attract around 8.5 million visitors annually and create almost 20,000 construction jobs. For Cass Allen, however, the project represents something much bigger than a theme park. It is likely to act as a catalyst for widespread residential, commercial and infrastructure growth across Bedfordshire, placing environmental noise and acoustic design firmly at the heart of future planning decisions. “The Universal resort represents an extraordinary opportunity for Bedfordshire,” said said Sam Bryant, Director at Cass Allen. “Projects of this scale inevitably generate enormous economic benefits, but they also create significant environmental challenges. Noise is often one of the least visible issues during the planning process, yet it has a direct impact on quality of life, planning approval and the long-term success of major developments.” Transport is expected to become one of the biggest considerations. Government estimates suggest the resort will welcome around 8.5 million visitors every year, supported by substantial investment in new road and rail infrastructure across Bedfordshire and the wider Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. While these improvements are essential, increased traffic volumes, altered traffic patterns, expanded rail services and associated infrastructure will inevitably require detailed acoustic assessment to protect existing communities and ensure future developments comply with national planning policy. However, the resort itself is only part of the story claims Cass Allen. Major destination developments typically act as catalysts for significant secondary investment. New hotels, restaurants, logistics facilities, residential neighbourhoods, commercial premises and supporting infrastructure are all expected to emerge as Bedford evolves into a major tourism and business destination. “As developments like this grow, they rarely exist in isolation,” added Bryant. “They stimulate entirely new communities around them. Hotels need to sit alongside transport corridors. New housing often needs to be delivered close to expanding commercial areas. Mixed-use developments become increasingly common. Successfully balancing these competing land uses depends heavily on good acoustic design from the very beginning.” Early acoustic assessments are already recognised as an important part of the planning process for major developments, helping designers manage road traffic noise, rail noise, building services, entertainment venues and mixed-use schemes while protecting residential amenity and supporting successful planning applications. As environmental standards continue to evolve, developers are increasingly expected to demonstrate that potential noise impacts have been properly assessed and mitigated before projects receive approval. Cass Allen believes demand for specialist acoustic consultancy is therefore likely to grow significantly across Bedfordshire over the coming years as developers respond to the opportunities created by Universal’s investment. “The resort itself is obviously a landmark project,” said Sam Bryant. “But perhaps its greatest legacy will be the wave of development that follows. Every new residential scheme, hotel, logistics hub, office development and transport improvement will require careful environmental consideration. Acoustic design has an important role to play in ensuring growth enhances communities rather than detracts from them. “The earlier acoustics are considered within the design process, the greater the opportunity to create places that are not only commercially successful, but enjoyable places to live, work and visit.” With enabling works are already underway and construction gathering pace, the Universal development is expected to reshape Bedfordshire for decades to come. For environmental specialists like Cass Allen, it also represents the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s built environment, where acoustic performance will become just as important as architectural design, transport planning and sustainability in delivering successful places. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GB Bank has supported the first stage of financing a £33 million mixed-use property portfolio across London, completing a structured funding solution in just seven days to help an experienced property investor meet a demanding exchange deadline. Working alongside SHC Capital, GB Bank provided an initial lending facility to be secured against an unencumbered portfolio of stabilised, income-producing assets, unlocking equity to support the borrower’s exchange on the wider acquisition within the same tight window. The structure created a clear funding pathway across the transaction, securing favourable commercial terms from the outset. The transaction was structured to support the borrower’s longer-term acquisition strategy, demonstrating GB Bank’s ability to deliver flexible funding solutions that help experienced investors execute complexed property transactions at pace. The borrower is an established property investor with a long-standing track record and ownership of more than £500m worth of real estate. Security for the facility comprised of a well-performing, income-generating portfolio with strong occupancy levels, enabling GB Bank to act quickly while maintaining its disciplined and prudent approach to lending. The transaction highlights GB Bank’s ability to combine responsive decision-making with structured funding expertise, supporting complexed and multi-asset transactions while maintaining robust lending fundamentals. GB Bank would like to thank Simon Noonoo, Partner at Seddons, for his legal support throughout the transaction, and Simon D’Archy at Savills for acting as valuer within the strict timelines. Pankaj Thukral, Chief Lending Officer and Deputy CEO at GB Bank, said: “This transaction demonstrates the value of combining speed, flexibility and commercial understanding to help clients seize significant opportunities. By working closely with Tony Tadros at SHC Capital, we were able to structure a solution that unlocked equity from an existing portfolio, enabling the borrower to exchange on the wider acquisition within just seven days. “Complexed transactions require more than fast decisions – they require a funding partner that understands the bigger picture. Our relationship-led approach allowed us to support the client’s wider acquisition strategy from the outset, providing certainty of funding while maintaining the prudent underwriting standards that underpin every deal we complete.” Hardik Gogia, Relationship Manager at GB Bank, said: “Understanding a sponsor’s wider strategy is what allows us to structure funding that works today and tomorrow. In this case, we were able to release equity from an existing, well-performing portfolio at pace, giving our client the certainty they needed to exchange on the next stage of their acquisition. “It’s a good example of how a relationship-led approach and disciplined credit process aren’t mutually exclusive. Working closely with Tony Tadros at SHC Capital, and with strong support from Simon Noonoo at Seddons and Simon D’Archy at Savills on valuation, we delivered both speed and structure on a genuinely complex transaction.” Tony Tadros, Director at SHC Capital, added: “We consider GB Bank a long-term partner, and once again they delivered under significant pressure. This was a complex transaction with a demanding timeline, requiring all parties to move quickly. Throughout the process, the GB Bank team remained responsive, pragmatic, and solutions-focused, ensuring a successful outcome. Simon Noonoo at Seddons and Simon D’Arcy at Savills were first class at every step.” For more information, please visit gbbank.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Workplace consultancy, Blueprint Interiors, is celebrating its 25th year in business with two new appointments, reinforcing its growth ambitions and commitment to investing in people. Tom Beeson has joined the Ashby-based company as Associate Project Director and Gemma Wort as Accounts Assistant Apprentice. Tom’s appointment marks the creation of a new senior role within the business. With 25 years’ experience in the commercial interiors sector, he’ll work alongside the directors to help shape Blueprint’s strategic direction and support the company’s future growth. Tom has previous affiliation to the business, having previously worked with Blueprint as a subcontractor and helped to successfully deliver one of Blueprint’s largest projects to date. Gemma joins Blueprint’s growing finance team, supporting the accounts function while developing her skills through a structured apprenticeship programme. Her appointment reflects Blueprint’s continued commitment to creating opportunities for young people. John Tansur, Commercial Director at Blueprint Interiors, said: ” As we celebrate 25 years in business we are firmly looking to our future. Tom’s appointment is an important milestone for us – his experience, commercial insight and understanding of our sector make him the ideal person to help us shape the next phase of our growth. “Creating this new role demonstrates our ambition as we ensure we’re well positioned to continue delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients as the cornerstone of our business. At the same time, we’re passionate about investing in emerging talent and recognise the importance of providing opportunities in our community and sector. Bringing Gemma into the business through an apprenticeship reflects our investment in the next generation. Welcome to both.” Tom Beeson, Associate Project Director at Blueprint Interiors, said: “Having worked alongside Blueprint previously, I’ve admired the team’s collaborative approach and commitment to delivery, so joining the team feels like a natural next step. Throughout my career I’ve focused on project planning, contract management and delivering high-quality interior refurbishment projects and I’m pleased to bring that experience to this new role, and to contribute to Blueprint’s continued growth.” Gemma Wort, Accounts Assistant at Blueprint Interiors, said: “Joining Blueprint is a great opportunity for me. I’m excited to be learning on the job, building my knowledge and being part of a company that’s investing in its people. I’m looking forward to developing my skills and seeing where my apprenticeship takes me.” The appointments mark the latest investment in Blueprint’s future as the company continues to grow its team, strengthen its expertise and build on 25 years of successful delivery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Schindler X8 elevator has received two coveted international product design awards in recognition of its outstanding aesthetic design. The Schindler X8 has won two of the world’s most respected seals of design quality: a Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026 and an iF DESIGN AWARD 2026. The Schindler X8 impressed international design experts with its approach to residential elevator design, rethinking how an elevator looks and feels inside the home. It moves away from the traditional image of an elevator as a functional, industrial product and transforms it into a piece of contemporary design that can blend seamlessly into a building’s architecture and interior. Created for homes and residential buildings, the Schindler X8 incorporates minimalist doors, carefully designed interior packages and a clean aesthetic that brings warmth, simplicity and visual harmony to vertical mobility. The result is an elevator that is not only functional but also an integrated part of the living environment. “We are extremely proud to win two highly respected international design awards,” said Amanda Driehorst, Strategy and Sales Manager, Business Innovation Team, Schindler. “A great deal of emphasis was placed on the aesthetic and emotional aspect of the Schindler X8, something that has not always been given priority in elevator design. The Schindler X8 is not just a functional piece of equipment. It has been created to feel like it belongs in your home.” Seamless design The Schindler X8’s interior design was created to express the unseen innovation behind the platform through a completely new design language. The Schindler X8 represents a new way of thinking about residential elevator design. Traditionally, elevators have often been defined by visible technical components, metallic frames, wall buttons and finishes that can feel clinical and out of place in a home. With the X8, Schindler set out to create a welcoming and more cohesive design style. Its signature doors blend striking simplicity with intelligent design, while the minimalist aesthetic allows the elevator to integrate into interiors with the same level of consideration as other high-end design items in the home. “The main mission of the interior design was to communicate the revolution happening in the platform, that passengers cannot see,” said Germana Lunghi, Product Owner, Interior Design, Schindler. “We wanted to break the standard archetype of the elevator as a stainless-steel cage that moves up and down, and instead treat it as part of the architecture, a real room inside the building.” A design for every home The aesthetic focus continues inside the Schindler X8, with six distinct interior packages. Each design has been inspired by nature and created to bring a different atmosphere to the space. The collection includes Luna, a timeless and refined look; Mineral, an open and natural feel; Savanna, a bright and earthy space; Terra, a sleek and fascinating aesthetic; Forest, a warm and rich ambiance; and Volcano, an intense and modern finish. Each interior uses different materials, color palettes, tactile finishes and lighting treatments that allow the elevator to harmonize with various residential environments. All six designs are available with full-mirror, half-mirror or no-mirror configurations, giving homeowners and designers a simple but elegant design experience. “The Schindler X8 was developed to blend into residential environments with the same design quality as the rest of the home,” said Germana. “If you are moving from your bedroom or living room into the elevator, the experience should feel seamless. We took inspiration from other objects found in contemporary homes to turn a functional product into a design item.” Form and function Behind the Schindler X8’s award-winning aesthetic is an innovative elevator concept that gives architects, designers and homeowners far greater freedom. Unlike traditional elevator systems, the Schindler X8 does not require a concrete shaft, pit or headroom. Instead, it needs only a single wall cut-out and operates via a standard single-phase power outlet. This flexibility allows the Schindler X8 to be integrated into almost any space in both new homes and existing residential buildings. “For decades, elevators have shaped the way buildings are designed, but with the Schindler X8 we set out to change this,” said Amanda. “The technical innovation enables the design freedom, which means the elevator can be installed in a way that is much more sympathetic to the architecture and interior design of the home.” Outstanding design quality The Red Dot Award is presented for high design quality, with the international jury recognizing the Schindler X8 in a strong field of participants, from 61 countries, for its outstanding design and quality. There were more than 10,000 entries in the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026, from 4,837 participants across 68 countries, judged by 129 international jurors. The Schindler X8 received the award in the Product Design, Building Technology category. It was assessed against criteria including idea, form, function, differentiation and sustainability. The double award success recognizes the Schindler X8 as a breakthrough in residential elevator design that combines elegant aesthetics, architectural freedom and Schindler’s high standards of quality and reliability. “The response to the Schindler X8 has been overwhelmingly positive,” concluded Amanda. “People immediately notice the doors, the interiors and the way the elevator becomes part of the home. These awards are a fantastic recognition of the work that has gone into creating an elevator that is completely different from anything else on the market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The government’s ambitions to build 1.5 million homes, upgrade home energy standards, and deliver a £725 billion long-term infrastructure pipeline will depend on a significant expansion to the construction workforce – and stronger employer involvement in training the next generation of workers, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) published today. The watchdog examined the government’s progress in delivering its £625 million construction skills package, announced in March 2025, which aims to support up to 60,000 more construction workers by 2029.1 The package combines tried and tested initiatives, alongside newer initiatives, including Skills Bootcamps, and new foundation apprenticeships, and construction technical excellence colleges. However, the package is not designed to meet all future workforce needs, with government estimates showing that between 201,000 and 755,000 extra workers could be required by 2030, before accounting for those who leave the sector for other jobs. This comes as statistics show the construction sector had the highest rate of hard-to-fill vacancies due to skills shortages — 45% compared with a 27% national average.2 Employer engagement is a critical delivery risk for the construction package. The government hopes that 42% of the additional construction workers will follow from further education students completing industry placements. Businesses make recruitment and training decisions depending on the expected pipeline of work, costs and market competition – but tough economic conditions are affecting employers’ confidence to invest and take new employees and apprentices on board. In 2024, employer investment in training per construction trainee was at its lowest level in 10 years. Foundation apprenticeships are intended to help young people move into entry-level construction jobs, but by April 2026 only 74 young people had started, against DWP’s assumption of 1,000 in 2025-26. The NAO concludes that the government’s construction skills package is a positive step, and that it now has in place a clearer framework to track delivery. However, delivery is not guaranteed. To achieve its aspiration of up to 60,000 workers — and support its housing and infrastructure commitments — government will need better data, to prioritise resources, and to get employers’ buy in. Without this, skills shortages could drive up costs and put major delivery commitments at risk. The NAO now recommends: Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said:“The government is taking action to address shortage of skilled construction workers as part of its ambitious commitments for housing, infrastructure and energy efficiency. Success will depend on employers having the confidence and capability to offer placements, apprenticeships and jobs.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New research from Landlord Studio reveals the toll MTD is taking on the UK’s landlords, as they increasingly look to rely on letting agents to make sense of the shift New research from Landlord Studio, the property accounting and compliance software company, finds that almost a quarter (22%) of UK landlords have considered leaving the rental market altogether, as Making Tax Digital (MTD) piles on administrative and compliance pressure. Despite this, 74% of landlords agree that MTD is actually making it easier to manage their tax, and over half (55%) still expect MTD to increase their profitability overall. The findings also point to a growing role for letting agents, with 90% of landlords agreeing that agents are well-equipped to help them manage MTD requirements. MTD for Income Tax has been mandatory since April 2026 for landlords earning over £50,000 in qualifying income, requiring quarterly digital updates to HMRC alongside an end-of-year finalisation process. The threshold drops further to £30,000 from April 2027, bringing a second wave of landlords into scope within the next year. The confidence paradox While confidence in MTD is high, many landlords are still feeling the strain of rising admin demands. Despite 94% of landlords and letting agents combined saying they are confident in their understanding of MTD requirements, and 95% confident in their ability to implement it, 59% of landlords specifically remain concerned about making mistakes or facing penalties. Letting agents appear well placed to help close this gap, with 51% describing themselves as very confident in their understanding of MTD, compared with just 36% of landlords. This suggests agents can help close the gap between broad landlord confidence and the practical realities of staying compliant. Logan Ransley, Co-Founder of Landlord Studio, said: “Landlords are clearly feeling the pressure of MTD, both in terms of time and cost, and for some that pressure is serious enough to make them question whether continuing to let property is worth it. What’s clear is that the support landlords need is often already there. Letting agents have the knowledge and the relationships to make a real difference, but our research shows many landlords simply don’t know how much help is on offer. Closing this gap is going to be essential as MTD rolls out more broadly.” The race to stay compliant is borne out in the numbers. Landlords now spend an average of 13 hours a month – more than a day and a half of work – managing tax and financial admin. Compared with 12 months ago, 53% both say the time associated with this has increased and the cost has risen. On average, landlords estimate that the time they spend on tax and financial admin is worth more than £3,000 a year, almost £64 a week. The admin burden isn’t only being felt by landlords. 89% say rising admin and compliance costs make them likely to raise rents, showing the knock-on effect inefficient back-office processes can have across the rental market. Falling behind on technology The research suggests that while landlords broadly recognise the benefits of digital tax reporting, many are still grappling with having the right tools to manage compliance efficiently. Just 34% use software or digital platforms for tax reporting and record-keeping, while 39% continue to rely on spreadsheets or manual methods. Spreadsheets are technically permitted under MTD, but only with separate bridging software and strict digital links in place, an extra layer of complexity many landlords may not have accounted for. A growing opportunity for agents Landlords identified the biggest compliance challenges as keeping accurate records (38%), the risk of errors and penalties (36%), and the time required for admin (34%). They also recognise that letting agents are well-equipped to help them manage new tax requirements (90%), but with 61% of letting agents themselves admitting that awareness of the support they can offer remains low, there is a clear opportunity to close that gap. Letting agents have the ability to provide landlords with practical support, helping them improve processes, stay organised and reduce the risk of mistakes. There is also strong future demand for digital solutions, with 98% of landlords saying they are likely to invest in tax and compliance software over the next two years, with 44% looking for greater financial visibility. For letting agents, this creates an opportunity to combine their expertise with digital tools, helping landlords stay compliant, reduce admin and manage rental income more efficiently as MTD implementation accelerates. Logan Ransley adds: “Letting agents already hold the rent, expense and ownership data their landlords need to comply with MTD – what’s been missing is a way to get that data to HMRC without anyone re-entering it by hand. That’s exactly why we built Nexus by Landlord Studio. It connects the records an agency already keeps to a secure portal where landlords, or their accountants, can review and submit each quarter. Nexus is available exclusively through participating letting agents, so an agent’s relationship with their landlords becomes a genuine value-add rather than another compliance headache.” To find out more about Nexus by Landlord Studio, visit here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals