External Wall Insulation (EWI) by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified for the thermal and aesthetic upgrade of Weir properties owned by East Ayrshire District Council. The webertherm XM EWI system is being applied in a two-phase programme of over 350 homes, a mix of tenancy and owner occupancy. Phase one
Street cabinet camo! The pioneering housing development adding innovation and style to broadband boxes by SEAMLESSLY blending them into the background Now you see them…and soon you won’t! At least that’s the case at an innovative Tees Valley housing development where street cabinets are looking a little different. Wynyard Park
The long-running campaign by SELECT, the electrotechnical trade association, which is also backed by the Scottish Joint Industry Board (The SJIB) and Unite the Union, for recognition of Electricians as a Profession achieved a major milestone last week (Oct 25) when the issue was debated in the Scottish Parliament. In
Bureau Veritas has welcomed the Government’s recent response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s proposals on the Hackitt report, stating that many of recommendations on fire safety and construction will “undoubtedly” result in a safer built environment. Following the publication in May of the Hackitt report into
Mace has announced a brand refresh of its fit-out business, ‘Mace Interiors’, and has appointed a new director, Stewart Ward, to run it. The move has been made to better align with Mace’s corporate brand and to reflect closer association with the Mace Group. Previously called ‘Como’, Mace Interiors is
External Wall Insulation (EWI) by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified for a contemporary-style new build in a designated conservation area in South West England. The revolutionary webertherm XP system has been used on the walls of the property while weberpral M through-coloured render has been used extensively to long runs
GRAHAM has been awarded a place on Highways England ‘Regional Delivery Partnership’ under Band A for schemes below £100m. This six-year partnership replaces the existing Collaborative Delivery Framework (CDF). The GRAHAM team, including design partners SWECO and Fairhurst, will initially deliver three design and build projects that will improve Junctions
Increasing Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) throughout the construction sector supply chain is one of the challenges facing Julie Timothy of Bouygues UK, as she has been appointed one of Wales’ first FIR ambassadors. As part of the work of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, FIR Ambassadors have been trained
Solutions to five of Brighton and Hove’s most challenging urban development sites were created at the third annual City Charrette, a partnership between Design South East, Brighton and Hove City Council and DesignBrighton on 19 October. This event brought local architecture, development and planning professionals and Brighton University students together
As a society, we seem to be more conscious of our wellbeing than ever before. In all aspects of life, we’re more aware and informed of the things that have an impact on our bodies and minds, and an ongoing stream of new research continues to fuel that fire. Amidst
External Wall Insulation (EWI) by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified for the thermal and aesthetic upgrade of Weir properties owned by East Ayrshire District Council. The webertherm XM EWI system is being applied in a two-phase programme of over 350 homes, a mix of tenancy and owner occupancy. Phase one is now complete and phase two, some 248 properties, is now underway. Many new construction methods were introduced to alleviate the chronic housing shortage immediately after World War II and in Scotland one of the most active design teams was that of the Weir Housing Corporation. Challenged to deliver significant quantities of housing, they introduced a variety of ‘prefab’ system buildings. The Weir system initially utilised steel and concrete sections to provide fast-assembly build programmes but when the material supply issues restricted capacity they moved toward timber buildings, many of which survive today. The timber-frame Weir properties are poorly insulated and expensive to heat. East Ayrshire District Council’s project has been led by senior architect Ernie Tew, who not only managed the technical elements of the scheme but also produced and managed the financial grant submission. “We wanted a cost effective solution for externally refurbishing these houses that would enable the upgrade to be carried out without having to temporarily relocate our residents. The system had to create a watertight and thermally efficient building envelope, reduce CO₂ emissions, cut fuel consumption and change the external appearance of the properties,” said Mr Tew. Saint-Gobain Weber calculated a greatly improved target U-value of 0.29 W/m²K from a pre-application value of 2.1 W/m²K. Funding for this programme has been delivered through the HEEPS private/public partnership between the Council and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), the UK’s broadest-based energy company. Skyform Specialist Contracts Limited, Glasgow, a multi-discipline structural repair and construction company, and a Weber recommended EWI installer, has been appointed by East Ayrshire District Council to carry out the application work. Andy Calder, production construction manager, SSE, praises the webertherm XM EWI system: “This high performance Weber system is excellent; it’s easy to deliver and ticks all the boxes for us. There really is a remarkable improvement in the aesthetics of these properties which has changed the community’s outlook, character and atmosphere for the better. We have had a very positive response from the residents who have already noticed reductions in their heating bills. Weber EWI is making cash savings for these residents which is very welcome.” Each property requires 84m² of webertherm XM EWI. Gary Meredith, Skyform’s project manager, is an enthusiastic supporter of this EWI system. “Bringing the wall surfaces up to the same level with the insulation not only makes it easier to apply the render coats but makes a substantial improvement in the appearance of the properties; they become more ‘modern’ almost overnight and the residents really appreciate living in a ‘new’ home which will be warmer, less expensive to run and attractive. The webertherm XM system is straight forward and reliable and we look forward to making continued progress with this project.” The webertherm XM EWI system chosen for these Weir properties features expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation which is mechanically fixed to the timber structure. The main insulation thickness is 90mm but 110mm has also been applied to level some façades whilst in the gable ends 70mm EPS has been used to achieve a level consistency. The render process requires two passes of weberend LAC cementitious render into which the fibreglass reinforcement meshcloth is embedded to give a robust render coat. The second render coat used in this project is weberend PTC, a polymer-modified, cement-based mortar which acts as the dry dash colour-base and adhesive on which the selected aggregate blends are carried. The dry-dash stones are then applied to give the very best weather and impact protection to this multi-layered process. For more information about this project, or for technical support, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.uk.weber A free download of the new WeberApp for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates. www.uk.weber/facades
Street cabinet camo! The pioneering housing development adding innovation and style to broadband boxes by SEAMLESSLY blending them into the background Now you see them…and soon you won’t! At least that’s the case at an innovative Tees Valley housing development where street cabinets are looking a little different. Wynyard Park has teamed up with graphic design experts at Shutter Media to blend street furniture into its surroundings by wrapping them in a range of clever designs – from brick, rendering and landscaping through to the woodland animals commonly seen on the development. Sixteen Virgin Media street cabinets are to get the wrap treatment – with plans to eventually hide the majority of the development’s street cabinets in plain sight. The project was the brainchild of Wynyard Park Development Manager Craig Pinder who teamed up with Steve Hale of Shutter Media to initially lessen the impact of two street cabinets with a deer and stag design. Work is currently underway to wrap a further 14 boxes. Craig said: “I saw an opportunity to add a bit of imagination and colour to some of the cabinets that have to be installed as part of the infrastructure and that’s when we decided to wrap the initial two. “The residents’ garden is a nice, relaxing area adjoining some of our woodland. “We wanted residents and guests to focus on the beauty of the garden rather than the cabinets. “The new graphics will certainly add a unique feel to the estate.” He added: “We get people stopping and taking photos with the first two boxes we trialled.” The reaction has been so positive that the idea was also picked up in other areas of the country – with Steve’s company, which is based at Durham Tees Valley Airport, wrapping street cabinets in Manchester and London. Wynyard Park and Virgin Media have co-funded the pilot project which may be rolled out to other developments if successful. Steve said: “We were certainly one of the first locations to do this. “The feedback has been great.” The vinyl used to wrap the cabinets is the same that Steve uses to decorate shop shutters as it adheres to galvanised steel. Graphics are then printed onto the material with latex and given UVA protection. The wraps have a seven to ten-year lifespan. “Our company started putting images onto shop shutters,” explains Steve, “hence our name Shutter Media. “But we have now used the material for so many different applications. It works on brick walls, we can wrap concrete up and once it’s on, it’s on. “The demand for these wraps is now rapidly increasing – and it all started here at Wynyard Park.” Luke Pattison, Head of New Business Development at Virgin Media, said: “This is a great project and we are always open to hearing about new and innovative ways in which we can do more with our cabinets. We hope local residents like the designs on the development.” For more information about the properties and self-build plots currently available at Wynyard Park please visit http://wynyardpark.com. Picture caption: Street cabinets at Wynyard Park
The long-running campaign by SELECT, the electrotechnical trade association, which is also backed by the Scottish Joint Industry Board (The SJIB) and Unite the Union, for recognition of Electricians as a Profession achieved a major milestone last week (Oct 25) when the issue was debated in the Scottish Parliament. In a wide-ranging discussion, MSPs from all parties debated the call for the privilege of calling a person an electrician to be limited only to those who are qualified in this highly-skilled profession. The Holyrood debate was opened by Jamie Halcro Johnston, Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for the Highlands and Islands, who has backed the campaign in the interests of public safety from its early stages. During the debate, Mr Halcro Johnston told parliament that he had been staggered to learn that the people who entered our homes and businesses to install and maintain our wiring, fuse boxes and appliances need have no qualifications at all and yet they can still call themselves electricians. Responding to the debate, Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, thanked MSPs for their contributions and said that discussions would continue with the aim of bringing a ministerial view to parliament in due course. Alan Wilson, Acting Managing Director at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, thanked the MSPs who initially signed the Motion and who took part in the debate. He said: “Protection of Title has been at the forefront of our work for a number of years and in fact our recent campaign was triggered following a speech by a Government Minister at a European Electrical contractors conference held in Edinburgh in 2015. We are very grateful to have received support from Unite the union, the SJIB other trade bodies and politicians from all parties. “It is a major issue. The overall cost of poor and potentially dangerous electrical work in Scotland is around £120 million a year. “Recognition of the vital role that qualified electricians play in all parts of Scottish society is long overdue. These are highly-trained, uniquely qualified professional people whose contribution to modern life is immense.” Mr Halcro Johnston pointed out that, while more than 100 regulated professions exist in the UK – including gas engineers and even door supervisors at clubs – there is no protection afforded to electricians. His motion asked Parliament to recognise that improperly-installed electrical work creates a significant risk of fire as well as other harm to householders and that the installation of electrical work by unqualified or part qualified individuals carries a major safety risk. SELECT’s 1250 member companies account for around 90% of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland. They have a collective turnover of around £1 billion and provide employment for 15,000 people. For more information please contact Alan Wilson, Acting Managing Director at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian, EH26 0SB. T: 0131 445 5577. F: 0131 445 5548. E: admin@select.org.uk. W: www.select.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/updates_select https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWJVjt14CvIig8bIKwidVug
Bureau Veritas has welcomed the Government’s recent response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s proposals on the Hackitt report, stating that many of recommendations on fire safety and construction will “undoubtedly” result in a safer built environment. Following the publication in May of the Hackitt report into the Grenfell tragedy, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee was tasked with summarising the findings of the independent review on building regulations and making a series of recommendations for the Government to consider. One such proposal already given the green light is the ban on combustible cladding, which will apply to all high rise residential buildings. Andy Lowe, director of building control at Bureau Veritas, comments: “The Government’s response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s recommendations includes many good points, which will undoubtedly result in a safer built environment. “However, there remain gaps in implementation that will require a concerted effort from all engaged in the construction industry in order to gain the confidence of the general public in terms of creating safer buildings. “While the ban on combustible materials in cladding will apply to all high rise residential buildings, the select committee also considers this applicable to new schools, hospitals, care homes, student accommodation buildings in England with a floor above 18m. It remains to be seen if funders and insurers will go even further in this aspect and extend the ban to all types of buildings. “The Committee has also called for a retrospective ban of this material on existing buildings but this is a complex issue and a fire safety assessment process is favoured for those buildings. The Government has stated it favours such a ban and even if you have lodged a Building Regulation application, unless works are commenced on a site, then the ban would be effective. Existing buildings would be subject to review and any material alteration works would then see the ban enforced on the cladding being replaced. “The compulsory use of sprinklers in existing buildings was also another important point highlighted by the committee, which the Government has said it will take into consideration. Currently in Wales and Scotland, residential properties are already subject to sprinkler installation requirements at a lower height than in England. If the Government does legislate this aspect in England, it will be interesting to see if it can provide the necessary funding to retrofit local authority-owned buildings. “In a bid to provide complete transparency, the Government is also considering tightening product testing, involving technical aspects where although some of materials can be used safely, the mechanism to allow that needs to be more rigorous. Any new testing would need to be thorough and reflective of what is actually being built rather than the current BS8414 test. “Later this year, the Government will also release an updated Approved Document B with precise definitions and clearer guidance on all aspects of fire safety including cladding.” Bureau Veritas is a leading testing, inspection and certification company with a vast experience of the building control sector. Bureau Veritas Building Control UK combines technical expertise and market-leading systems with unrivalled industry experience to deliver building control services to some of the biggest names in construction. For further information, call 0345 600 1828 or visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk
Mace has announced a brand refresh of its fit-out business, ‘Mace Interiors’, and has appointed a new director, Stewart Ward, to run it. The move has been made to better align with Mace’s corporate brand and to reflect closer association with the Mace Group. Previously called ‘Como’, Mace Interiors is now the name of Mace’s specialist fit-out unit, responsible for a wide range of industry-leading commercial fit-out projects across the UK. The new branding will be phased in across Mace’s current fit-out projects and the company will operate under the new brand in the sector from this point forward. Stewart Ward has joined Mace Interiors following 15 years at Overbury. At Mace, Stewart has been tasked with expanding the Mace Interiors business, building on a strong portfolio of clients and projects to deliver sustainable growth and support the wider Group’s ambitions over the next five years. Stewart will report into Mace’s Ged Simmonds, the Managing Director responsible for Mace’s commercial and fit out construction businesses. Stewart Ward, Director of Mace Interiors, said: “I’m excited to have been appointed to lead the next chapter of Mace’s journey in the fit-out sector. We’ve got a fantastic team in place here, with a huge range of expertise and a portfolio of fantastic clients and projects. I’m very proud to have the opportunity to take Mace Interiors from strength to strength over the next five years and beyond.” Mark Castle, Mace’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer said: “We have delivered some of the most exciting fit-out projects in the UK over the last ten years, and with our new brand and Stewart in charge I’m sure we will continue to build on that fantastic legacy. The next twelve months will mark a key phase of growth for Mace Interiors, and I look forward to working with Stewart and the rest of the team to deliver it.”
External Wall Insulation (EWI) by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified for a contemporary-style new build in a designated conservation area in South West England. The revolutionary webertherm XP system has been used on the walls of the property while weberpral M through-coloured render has been used extensively to long runs of concrete walling. The planning term ‘conservation area’ all too often results in unimaginative new build designs mimicking the surrounding aesthetics rather than offering creative architecture that enhances the area. This stunning new home in Somerset illustrates perfectly how architectural flare and modern building techniques are fused to deliver a property that contributes greatly to the local environment. The 430m² private residence has extensive glazing to capture the glorious rural views and to encourage the benefits of maximum natural light. Sleek expanses of webertherm XP EWI with webertherm M1 through-coloured render enhances the profile of the house from all aspects. By embracing the topography of the site, which placed the front entrance at first floor level, and letting the rest of the house flow down to a lower ground floor layout, the house presents a low and softened profile to the onlooker. An enlightened planning approval was achieved for this privately commissioned design by Jason Jackson of Jackson Architects Ltd, Taunton. “An earlier traditional design was not considered suitable by local planners and we were asked to offer alternative designs for this family home. The client was immediately excited about a minimalist and modern design idea and asked us to submit the application. After careful negotiation with the conservation and planning officers, they agreed that the contemporary architectural style of the building would make a highly individual but fitting addition to the very traditional properties in the area. The only significant condition imposed on the planning approval was the removal of the permitted development rights so as to protect the purity of the design! We were really quite amazed and flattered to get this acknowledgement,” smiles Jason Jackson. Matching the dramatic visual appeal of this unique property is the construction formula and advanced thermal efficiency that has been achieved. The external walls are constructed as a single skin formed with 215mm thermal blocks that are protected by webertherm XP EWI using 50mm of high performance phenolic insulation. webertherm M1, an advanced one-coat, polymer modified, mineral render, is factory batched and designed for spray application to reduce on-site labour time and access costs and has been used in White. A decorative scraped texture finish has been applied to the White render which catches and holds the light. Mark Pickthall, of M P Plastering, Somerset, carried out the insulation and render application for contractor Fry Developments Limited. The applicator also specified weberend aid to create a key coat before applying weberpral M through-coloured render, in Chalk, to surface finish long runs of poured concrete walling running from the house to the drive and garage areas. “The superb smart finish of the house structure achieved with the scraped surface of the 250m² of webertherm M1 render really underlines the beautiful architecture of this house which makes a great statement in the locality. We are all pleased to have been part of this exciting project,” reports Mark. Simon Fry, Fry Developments, is equally proud of this new build and pleased to have accepted the recommendation to use the webertherm EWI system. “My experience has only been with traditional sand and cement renders but Mark highlighted the qualities of the Weber system and I must say the result is superb. It’s a ‘no risk’ decision now for Fry Developments to use Weber products on my future contracts.” For more information about this project, or for technical support, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.uk.weber A free download of the new WeberApp for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.
GRAHAM has been awarded a place on Highways England ‘Regional Delivery Partnership’ under Band A for schemes below £100m. This six-year partnership replaces the existing Collaborative Delivery Framework (CDF). The GRAHAM team, including design partners SWECO and Fairhurst, will initially deliver three design and build projects that will improve Junctions 25 and 28 of the M25 and Junction 5 of the M2 as part of Highways England’s major highways improvement schemes across the South East of England. Strategic alignment This latest win is further evidence of GRAHAM’s collaborative approach. The privately-owned company recently launched a five-year Highways Strategy – a clear sign of its ambition to be recognised as an industry leader; not only in engineering and technological capacity but also in people development, safety, quality and the impact on the communities where it operates. As an integral part of Highways England’s supply chain, one of GRAHAM’s strategic priorities, which is already bearing fruit and delivering lasting impact, will be to continue developing this strong collaborative relationship. Commenting on the Highways England ‘Regional Delivery Partnership’ success, GRAHAM’s Highways Director, Dave Brown, said: “We enjoy a very positive relationship with Highways England and are committed to working in partnership to ultimately deliver safely and provide value for money for the public. We are looking forward to the mobilisation of the ‘Regional Delivery Partnership’ including the South East packages, and the team is optimistic about the journey ahead with Highways England who represent one of our key clients. The enhancement works that we will deliver will significantly reduce congestion and add social value.” John Owens, Operations and Programme Director at SWECO, one of GRAHAM’s design partners on the Partnership, added: “We have a strong relationship with GRAHAM, which has been developed over the past 20 years through jointly delivering a number of significant design and build projects. We look forward to continuing to build the relationship and applying our international design expertise to deliver highway enhancements across the East and South East.” In addition, Ian McKay, Contract Partner for Fairhurst, said: “This is a fantastic win for GRAHAM, SWECO and Fairhurst and provides an exciting platform to allow Fairhurst to further develop our modern client-focused multidisciplinary consultancy services. We aim to develop these relationships further through collaboration and the development of innovative, cost effective and sustainable design solutions, to enable our delivery partnership to exceed Highways England’s expectations.” GRAHAM and Highways England Some of GRAHAM’s recent collaborative successes in partnership with Highways England include: Delivering over 70 individual work programmes for Highways England as part of a major highways improvement scheme for OD East Completion of the award-winning A138 Chelmer Viaduct (£32m) – a strategic highways link in Chelmsford, Essex, which has increased transport capacity and significantly improved journeys for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians Working alongside Highways England to maximise efficiencies using a robust collaborative programme planning process Serving as an influential member of Highways England’s Suppliers Diversity Forum (SDF) and project managing a successful inclusivity conference on behalf of Highways England Completion of a noise-reduction scheme along an 11.5 mile section of motorway on the M40
Increasing Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) throughout the construction sector supply chain is one of the challenges facing Julie Timothy of Bouygues UK, as she has been appointed one of Wales’ first FIR ambassadors. As part of the work of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, FIR Ambassadors have been trained and appointed in the construction sector to imbed principles of equality and diversity into their companies. With that in mind, Julie Timothy, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager for Bouygues UK for South Wales and the West, has been appointed as a FIR Ambassador. Speaking of her new role, Julie said: “Bouygues UK is already a forward-thinking and inclusive company, but with my FIR Ambassador role I can work to further imbed these practices into our supply chain, to ensure that all who work with Bouygues UK, whether a sub-contractor or employee, are treated with fairness and respect. “Construction is seen as a bullish and macho industry, but in truth it is a professional and highly skilled sector which employs a diverse and varied workforce, which is why I feel it is even more important that FIR Ambassadors are in place to ensure these key behaviours are maintained.” The Supply Chain School in Wales has been created to provide support to organisations by providing free resources enabling construction companies to understand what sustainability in construction means in Wales. It is funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The CITB predicts that Wales will lead growth in the UK’s construction sector until 2020, with an estimated 12,250 jobs created over the next five years. The industry also has to tackle the challenges of different regulations on building sites in Wales because of devolution. FIR Ambassadors are important for the future of the construction sector; the skills shortage in the industry means that organisations need a wide talent pool so increasing diversity in this talent pool helps to address this – and a diverse workforce also ensures that companies are able to reflect the diverse needs of their clients. Small to medium construction businesses are being encouraged to join the FIR Ambassadors scheme, to help encourage these good behaviours throughout the construction sector, support compliance within the sector and help create an open, positive and inclusive working environment. As the FIR Ambassador scheme is funded by the CITB, e-learning modules, workshops and training are all free to access. The benefits to SME building businesses in embracing the FIR scheme include better productivity, improved staff engagement and innovation, a way to attract new talent to the business and an improved reputation. For more information about the FIR Ambassador Scheme, please visit https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/uk/fir/construction/ambassadors/ambassadors.aspx
Solutions to five of Brighton and Hove’s most challenging urban development sites were created at the third annual City Charrette, a partnership between Design South East, Brighton and Hove City Council and DesignBrighton on 19 October. This event brought local architecture, development and planning professionals and Brighton University students together to help shape the future of the city. The hypothetical proposals were produced at a day-long collaborative design workshop held at Hove Town Hall on 19 October and could inform future redevelopment in the city. Sponsored by Edward Street Quarter Ltd, a £210m development in partnership First Base and Patron Capital, the collective closely examined five local development sites, chosen in collaboration with the city council, with the aim of producing design solutions and guiding principles for each. The sites in focus were Madeira Drive, Elder Place, the area north of Hove Station, Portland Street and Foundry Street cluster and Coombe Farm in Saltdean. Teams of design professionals and students identified the key issues of each site and proposed practical solutions to better suit the needs of the community. For more information regarding DesignBrighton and to learn how to get involved, please visit www.designbrighton.org or search #DesignBrighton on Twitter. For more information regarding Design South East, please visit www.designsoutheast.org or @DesignSouthEast on Twitter.
As a society, we seem to be more conscious of our wellbeing than ever before. In all aspects of life, we’re more aware and informed of the things that have an impact on our bodies and minds, and an ongoing stream of new research continues to fuel that fire. Amidst a sea of eye-opening discoveries, architecture and building design stand as two islands of opportunity – and within this field, glazing has proven to be a key influencing factor for progression. Over the past few decades, innovations in our use of glass have been some of the most important developments in the design and construction industries. Facilitating some of the most progressive work in architecture, and opening the door to a whole new avenue of biophilic and sustainable design, glass is helping us build a world geared towards productivity and wellness. Here’s how: Glazing for healthier building design: An area of significant importance to an increasingly large cohort within the field of architecture, wellbeing and design have proven to be symbiotic. We now know that our buildings have a direct impact on how we feel, both physically and mentally, in a number of specific ways. Air quality, acoustics, interior climate, aesthetics, and importantly lighting all have a part to play. This isn’t speculation – specific cells in the hippocampal part of our brains have been identified as directly attuned to our spacial awareness and the geometry of the physical environments in which we spend time. One of the most significant factors in this is the amount of natural light we are exposed to. We now know that our circadian rhythms – our internal ‘body clocks’, are massively impacted by our exposure to natural light. We spend a huge amount of time indoors, and if our buildings are going to galvanise our wellbeing, they need to provide us with plenty of natural light. Several new design and architecture schools and initiatives have emerged, which focus on creating ‘healthy’ buildings that actively contribute to the wellness of their inhabitants. Structural glazing is central to many of these designs, presenting an opportunity for buildings to include literal ‘walls of light’ and flood interior spaces with sunlight throughout the day. With new innovations in silicone bonding, and glass beams now viable as a structural support solution, it’s possible to ‘chain’ glazing installations together, and create entire sections of a building from low-iron glass (which is clearer, with less of the ‘green tinge’ glazing can sometimes suffer from). This means that as things like biophilic design become increasingly popular, it will become increasingly easier to construct buildings that keep our bodies in tune with the outside world. This in turn makes us more productive, attentive, and improves both physical and mental health. Sustainability With new research into the impact of humankind on the environment emerging regularly, few can deny the importance of sustainability in construction. As we build onto the natural world, the multiple ways we can reduce any negative consequences are becoming more apparent, and both our choice of materials – and the way we use them – are two key areas for concern. This is another area in which glass has a big role to play, particularly when it comes to energy efficiency. Windows are typically one of the most significant areas of thermal loss in a building, particularly if those windows are built using dated construction techniques such as single glazing. Even with the emergence of double glazing in the mid 20th Century, the energy efficiency of a home is still usually dictated by its windows – but thankfully new glazing technology is minimising this problem. Triple glazing is now an increasingly viable option, and innovative technology such as ‘low-e glass’ is improving the thermal capabilities of windows, doors, and other glazing solutions. A new era of glazing As we move ever further into the era of integrated ‘smart design’, glass is also becoming an intrinsic part of a new era of building design and construction. With the ‘Internet of Things’ (physical devices and installations working together through wireless online connection) now a popular part of many modern homes and commercial spaces, it isn’t just the smart devices we’re filling our buildings with that are changing the way we live – it’s the buildings themselves Glazing specialists have been working to develop new solutions that can improve the functionality of a building – particularly when it comes to the ways glass can integrate with other ‘smart solutions’ for things including interior climate, and lighting. Glass doors and windows can now integrate with remote electronic control systems, and technology such as switchable glazing means architects and designers can still feature glazing even when privacy is an issue. Glass is also now viable as a construction material in its own right. ‘Structural glazing’ is now an industry standard term, and using toughened glass, entire walls and glass facades can be built that are able to bear weight in their own right. This opens entirely new avenues for conceptual design, and creatively speaking, means architects are able to approach spaces in entirely new ways. Walls aren’t the only installations that benefit from advances in architectural glass technology – glass roofs and even glass floors are now no longer solely the remit of large-scale commercial architecture. As manufacturing and installation techniques improve, even small-scale residential projects can now feature these kind of installations in both practical and aesthetic ways. There have also been leaps forward in the application of glazing for security. As well as long-standing safety features such as lamination and tempering, bullet-proof and even bomb-proof glass can now be used for all kinds of installations.The result is a universally broad spectrum when it comes to the use of glass in architecture: almost any project, of any scope, can use almost any type of glazing, in any solution. Could glass be the future? While the overall functionality of glazing has developed rapidly and undeniably, there are also encouraging signs that glass could be at