Matters In Modern Builds
Walk through most new developments and the fit-out feels familiar: the same flat-pack joinery, the same mass-produced finishes, the same slightly anonymous feel. It is efficient, but something is lost. Bespoke woodwork is the quiet antidote, and it is making a comeback in serious builds. Custom makers prove the point. Workshops like Parkman Woodworks, a Los Angeles studio crafting custom wood and steel furniture, show how much character handmade joinery brings to a space. This piece looks at why bespoke woodwork endures, even in an age built around speed. Why Does Bespoke Woodwork Still Matter? Because it solves problems mass production cannot. A standard unit is made to fit an average room. A bespoke piece is made to fit your room, your dimensions, and your use, with no awkward gaps or compromises. It also lasts. Where flat-pack furniture is often built to a price and a short life, quality custom joinery is built to endure, frequently outliving the building’s first fit-out by decades. That longevity is increasingly valued as the industry rethinks throwaway interiors. There is a character dimension too. Handmade timber carries grain, warmth, and individuality that a laminated panel simply cannot fake. In a market chasing distinctiveness, that craft is a genuine differentiator for developers and homeowners alike. And it aligns with where building is heading. As the sector debates what it means to be built to last, bespoke woodwork answers with pieces designed to be repaired, not replaced. Craft and sustainability turn out to be close allies. What Sets Custom Furniture Apart? A series of qualities that standardised production trades away for scale. The differences are clear once you know what to look for. The main ones are: Each of these adds up to a piece that performs and ages better. The contrast with mass production is stark: one optimises for cost and speed, the other for fit and longevity. Sourcing matters too. The best makers use responsibly harvested timber, and some, like the studios working with locally fallen trees, turn sustainability into part of the story. The material itself carries provenance. How Does Quality Woodwork Fit Modern Buildings? More naturally than you might expect, even in contemporary schemes. Bespoke joinery is not about period pastiche; it is about doing the built-in elements properly. A few facts frame its place: Those last figures matter on site. Working timber safely is a regulated trade, and official guidance on woodworking safety sets out how dust and machinery must be managed, which reputable makers take seriously. Compliance reaches the finished build as well. Fitted timber elements must meet the relevant building regulations, from fire performance to structural fixings, so quality woodwork is engineered, not just attractive. Good makers design with those standards in mind from the first sketch. What Should You Look for In a Maker? Evidence of craft, materials, and reliability, not just a portfolio of nice photos. The table below frames the checks. Factor Why It Matters Material honesty Solid timber and steel outlast veneered board Joinery quality Proper joints define how long a piece lasts Sustainable sourcing Responsible timber adds value and provenance Custom capability True bespoke fits your exact space and brief Track record Past work shows consistency and reliability Alt text: A handcrafted wood and steel table in a modern interior Any maker should be able to evidence each of these readily. Vague answers on materials or sourcing are a warning sign, while a confident, specific response signals genuine craft. The payoff is a fit-out with soul. Whether it is a conference table, built-in shelving, or a statement staircase, bespoke woodwork brings a character that off-the-shelf joinery rarely matches. Studios like the Los Angeles makers at Parkman Woodworks show what that looks like. It is craft worth specifying. The Case for Craft Building With Pieces That Last In a construction culture optimised for speed, bespoke woodwork is a deliberate choice for quality. It costs more up front than flat-pack, but it fits better, lasts longer, and gives a space a character that mass production cannot buy. For developers and homeowners weighing the long view, well-made custom joinery is not an indulgence. It is an investment in a building that will still feel considered decades from now. Frequently Asked Questions Is Bespoke Furniture Worth the Cost? For most quality-focused projects, yes. Bespoke furniture fits a space exactly, uses better materials, and lasts far longer than mass-produced alternatives, often outliving several rounds of flat-pack. When you factor in durability and the ability to repair rather than replace, the higher upfront cost frequently works out as good value. How Long Does Solid Wood Furniture Last? Well-made solid timber furniture can last fifty years or more, and often much longer with basic care. Because it can be sanded, repaired, and refinished, a quality piece is rarely thrown away. That longevity is one of the strongest arguments for choosing bespoke joinery over cheaper, disposable options. What Should I Ask a Custom Furniture Maker? Ask about materials, joinery methods, timber sourcing, and past projects. A reputable maker will happily explain whether they use solid wood or veneered board, what joints they use, and where their timber comes from. Clear, specific answers signal genuine craft, while vague responses are a reason for caution. Does Bespoke Woodwork Suit Modern Buildings? Very much so. Custom joinery is not limited to traditional styles; it adapts to contemporary design while bringing warmth and longevity. Built-in storage, statement furniture, and timber detailing all work in modern schemes, and because they are made to measure, they fit clean, minimal interiors particularly well.
Arcus FM Secures Major Five-Year Santander UK Facilities Management Contract
Arcus Facilities Management has strengthened its long-standing relationship with Santander UK after securing a significant five-year integrated facilities management contract covering the bank’s nationwide property portfolio. The appointment follows a competitive review process undertaken by Santander, which sought to streamline its supply chain by appointing a single facilities management provider capable of delivering a comprehensive range of services across its diverse estate. The new agreement marks an expansion of Arcus FM’s existing role with the bank, evolving from the provision of retail engineering services to a fully integrated facilities management partnership. Under the contract, Arcus FM will support Santander’s entire UK property portfolio, which includes its major corporate offices in Milton Keynes and London, regional workplaces, around 350 retail branches and two data centres housing critical infrastructure. The scope of services will encompass engineering and technical maintenance, cleaning, front-of-house support and energy management services, alongside a number of back-office operational functions. Larger and strategically important sites will benefit from dedicated on-site engineering teams, while Arcus’s mobile engineering network will provide support across the wider branch estate. Service delivery will also be backed by a 24-hour UK-based helpdesk. In addition to day-to-day facilities management responsibilities, the agreement further strengthens the relationship between Santander and Arcus Projects, the specialist division responsible for supporting investment, refurbishment and development activities across the bank’s property portfolio. The contract represents a notable achievement within a market where large-scale, fully integrated facilities management agreements have become increasingly uncommon. Theresa Bell, Chief Commercial Officer at Arcus FM, said the award reflected the company’s continued investment in developing its capabilities across corporate and mission-critical environments. She added that the contract demonstrated Santander’s confidence in Arcus’s ability to deliver high-quality services consistently across a complex and geographically diverse estate. Lee Barrow, Head of Property Operations at Santander UK, highlighted the strong working relationship developed between the two organisations in recent years. He said Arcus had demonstrated technical expertise, a collaborative approach and the operational scale required to support the bank’s wider estate requirements. The appointment further reinforces Arcus FM’s growing presence within the integrated facilities management sector, particularly across complex, multi-site environments where resilience, technical capability and service consistency remain critical priorities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RICS Signals Continued Pressure Across UK Lettings Market
The UK’s private rented sector continues to face mounting pressures as tenant demand outpaces supply, according to the latest housing market snapshot from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The survey paints a challenging picture for both renters and landlords, with demand for rental homes continuing to rise while the number of properties entering the market remains constrained. In May, a net balance of 14% of respondents reported an increase in tenant demand, highlighting the ongoing imbalance between supply and need across the sector. At the same time, landlord instructions remained firmly in negative territory, with a net balance of -28% of contributors reporting a decline in new rental listings. The shortage of available homes is continuing to place upward pressure on rents, with expectations for rental growth strengthening to +36% – the highest level recorded since May last year. While the lettings market remains under strain, the wider housing market also continues to experience challenging conditions. Agreed sales remained subdued, with a net balance of -37% of survey respondents reporting a decline in transactions. Although still negative, the unchanged figure suggests that the pace of deterioration may be beginning to stabilise. One of the most notable findings was the increasing time taken for property transactions to complete. The average period from a property being listed to reaching completion rose to 21.5 weeks – the longest duration recorded since RICS began collecting the data in 2017. House prices also continued to soften, with the headline net balance remaining at -35% for the second consecutive month. Regional variations persist, with respondents in the South East and East Anglia reporting stronger downward pressure on prices, while Northern Ireland continued to record robust growth. Looking ahead, short-term confidence remains cautious. A net balance of -45% of respondents expect prices to fall over the next three months. However, sentiment improves when considering the longer-term outlook, with expectations for the year ahead edging into positive territory at +6%. Commenting on the findings, Tarrant Parsons, Head of Market Research and Analysis at RICS, said recent data suggests the housing market downturn may be stabilising, although it remains too early to describe the current environment as a recovery. He added that ongoing inflationary pressures and uncertainty around future interest rate decisions are likely to continue influencing market sentiment in the months ahead. For the lettings sector in particular, the continued mismatch between supply and demand remains a significant concern, reinforcing calls for greater investment and policy support to increase the availability of quality rental homes across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Costain lands places on two London Gatwick frameworks
Long-term framework contracts will deliver new and upgraded infrastructure for UK’s second busiest airport. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a place on two framework contracts with London Gatwick. London Gatwick’s Civils Framework and Buildings Framework cover a range of capital projects to upgrade and modernise the airport’s infrastructure, support growing passenger demand, and enhance resilience. The frameworks will run for a four-year period, with an option to extend by a further two years. Costain will bring its experience in delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions to support London Gatwick’s programme of major capital investment projects to enhance the airport’s operational efficiency, resilience, capacity and sustainability. The frameworks will deliver multiple design and construction projects both airside and landside. Jonathan Willcock, Managing Director of Transportation at Costain, commented: “Increasing UK airports’ capacity and enhancing the passenger experience will unlock regional and national economic growth, boost trade, and secure the country’s position as a major international transport hub. We’re working closely with London Gatwick and our supply chain partners to deliver the essential infrastructure upgrades that will enhance the airport’s operations and thereby create a more prosperous UK.” The award builds on Costain’s growing position in the aviation sector, where it is delivering a range of asset renewal projects and infrastructure services for the UK’s three largest airport operators. In addition to the work with London Gatwick, Costain is delivering the new baggage systems infrastructure at Heathrow Terminal 2. Costain is also designing critical civils upgrades at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports for Manchester Airports Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Managing director of third-generation family electrical firm is elected President of Scotland’s largest construction trade association
Darren Crockett, boss of RAS Crockett and Partners in Dundee, says he is ‘excited and honoured’ to take over at campaigning industry body Scotland’s largest trade construction association, SELECT has elected the managing director of a third-generation Dundee electrical company as its 68th President. Darren Crockett is Managing Director of RAS Crockett and Partners, a family firm of electrical engineers which has been operating successfully in the city since 1964. The businessman was elected at the SELECT AGM in the DoubleTree by Hilton Queensferry last week (June 4) and replaces Mike Stark, who will become Immediate Past President after two years in the position. David Harris, MD of Glasgow-based DMH Electrical Services, was elected SELECT Vice President at the same event, with Mike Campbell, Apprenticeship Programme Manager at Inverness-based RSE, the association’s new Depute Vice President. Speaking in a new video to mark his election, Darren said: “I’m extremely honoured and excited to be taking over as the new President of SELECT and it’s a privilege to be representing the Members of this historic and well-respected association. “It’s a great honour to take up this role at a time when SELECT is campaigning on a number of vitally important issues for the electrotechnical industry and wider construction sector. “I’m now looking forward to raising awareness of regulation and promoting the importance of protection of title for the electrical industry, while at the same time helping to lobby the Scottish Government to secure more funding for apprenticeships.” As a nine-strong family business, RAS Crockett, has built a strong reputation in Dundee and won Best Small Contractor at the SELECT Awards in Glasgow in 2014. The thriving family business was founded by Darren’s grandfather, Bert – a Grade One football referee – who passed it to son Sinclair in 1974 when he retired. Sinclair’s son Darren joined the company when he left school in 1986 and served as Chair of the SELECT Tayside Branch in 2013 before becoming Depute Vice President of the association in 2020 and Vice President in June 2024. Darren, whose wife, Gill, sons Liam and Kieran and uncle Paul also work in the business, said: “It’s been a great privilege to work alongside outgoing President Mike Stark during my time as Vice President. “I’d like to thank him for the invaluable insights and knowledge that he’s passed on to me and which I hope to use to equally good effect throughout my Presidency.” RAS Crockett has been a member of SELECT for all 62 years of its existence and Darren says the association has provided invaluable technical, employment, health and safety and training support down the decades. He added: “Being a Member of SELECT means we have business credibility, guaranteed customer confidence and vital access to industry experts whenever we need it.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The World’s Best Casino Architecture and Design
Casino architecture has moved far beyond traditional gaming halls. Today, the most iconic casino resorts are global architectural landmarks that combine engineering innovation, luxury hospitality, and bold artistic identity. From futuristic skyscrapers to historically rich European palaces, these buildings shape skylines and define modern entertainment destinations. What Makes a Casino Design Stand Out? Today’s casino architecture goes beyond simple gaming halls. Leading resorts combine structural innovation, luxury interiors, and distinctive design to create spaces that draw attention even before guests enter. Key factors include: However, without visiting a casino in person, it can be harder to judge which resort is best for you. Another option is to use online resources. For example, https://www.slotozilla.com/uk/ provides reviews, casino comparisons, and information about games, bonuses, and resort features. Players can compare different options, learn what each casino offers, and narrow down their choices before making a decision. The Most Impressive Casino Designs in the World Below are some of the most architecturally significant casino resorts in the world, chosen for their design impact, innovation, and global recognition. Casino Location Style Signature Feature Marina Bay Sands Singapore Futuristic modernism SkyPark infinity pool The Venetian Macao China Themed Neo-Renaissance Indoor canals Bellagio USA Italian-inspired luxury Fountain show Wynn Las Vegas USA Organic modern luxury Curved glass façade Casino de Monte-Carlo Monaco Belle Époque Historic interiors Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) Marina Bay Sands consists of three hotel towers connected by the SkyPark, a rooftop structure that spans the tops of the buildings. The SkyPark includes an observation area and an infinity pool that offers views of Singapore. The resort combines a casino, hotel, shopping area, convention centre, restaurants, and entertainment venues in one location. Inside, the building has open spaces, natural light, and a layout that allows visitors to move between different areas efficiently. The Venetian Macao (Macao SAR, China) The Venetian Macao is one of the largest casino resorts in the world, covering around 980,000 square meters of floor space. It was built to reflect Venice, with canals, bridges, and plazas designed to guide visitors through the complex. Gondolas carry guests along the indoor waterways, and ceilings are painted to resemble the sky, creating a continuous themed environment. The resort combines a casino with over 3,000 slot machines and 870 gaming tables, a hotel with more than 3,000 rooms, shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Its size and layout allow it to function like a self-contained city, with all facilities accessible under one roof, making it a major destination for both gaming and leisure in Macao. Bellagio (Las Vegas, USA) Its design takes inspiration from the town of Bellagio on Lake Como, with a focus on lakeside architecture and open public spaces. The resort is built around an 8-acre artificial lake, which is home to the Fountains of Bellagio, one of the most visited attractions in Las Vegas. The fountain system uses more than 1,200 water nozzles and performs water shows throughout the day and evening. Inside, visitors can explore the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, seasonal floral displays, an art gallery, restaurants, shops, and the casino. Wynn Las Vegas (Las Vegas, USA) Wynn Las Vegas has two towers rising 614 feet, with more than 2,700 hotel rooms. The curved glass exterior reflects sunlight and gives the resort a distinctive presence on the Strip. Inside, the resort includes a casino with over 1,800 slot machines and 100 table games, multiple restaurants, a luxury shopping esplanade, theaters, and landscaped indoor gardens. Natural light and plant installations are used throughout, creating open spaces that connect the hotel, gaming, and entertainment areas efficiently. Casino de Monte-Carlo (Monaco) Casino de Monte-Carlo covers about 11,000 square meters and includes several gaming rooms, private lounges, and event spaces. It was designed by Charles Garnier, who also created the Paris Opera House, and remains one of the oldest and most famous casinos in the world. The interior features marble floors, frescoed ceilings, and gold accents throughout the main halls. The casino has more than 100 gaming tables and over 300 slot machines, making it both a historic landmark and a functioning gaming venue. Common Design Trends in Modern Casino Architecture Today’s casinos are more than just places to gamble. They combine hotels, restaurants, shops, and entertainment in one location. Despite differences in style or location, many modern resorts follow similar design approaches that make them easy to navigate, visually distinctive, and appealing to visitors. Luxury and Resort Integration Most large resorts combine hotels, restaurants, shops, spas, and entertainment venues in one location. This setup lets visitors spend more time at the property without needing to go elsewhere. In places like Las Vegas and Singapore, integrated resorts earn revenue from hotels, dining, shopping, and events as well as gaming. Because these resorts often include fine dining venues, bars, theaters, and VIP areas, it is important to know what to wear to a casino before visiting, as dress requirements can vary depending on the venue and time of day. Landmark Architecture and Visual Identity Casinos are often designed to stand out in a city’s skyline. Developers use large shapes, unique building forms, and lighting to make resorts easy to recognize. This helps the property become a landmark and gives the city a distinct visual identity. Modern resorts often focus on both how the building looks from a distance and how visitors experience it up close. Technology and Immersive Design Advanced lighting systems, digital displays, and interactive interfaces help guide visitors and highlight different areas of the resort. Smart spatial planning ensures that interiors flow smoothly, while dynamic lighting and multimedia features can change throughout the day to create different moods and experiences. These elements combine to make the environment feel more interactive and responsive to guests.