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How affordable housing became a critical US election issue
Housing becomes a key election issue as Democrats focus on affordability and urban development across the U.S., writes Chris Fogarty
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When does high-density housing become incompatible with family living?
The redevelopment of Ladywood raises critical questions about urban density and the sustainability of community living, writes Joe Holyoak
Seven years after Grenfell: We have come a long way, but there is still a huge amount to do
Andrew Mellor reflects on the Grenfell Inquiry’s demand for radical reforms. The message is clear: urgent action is needed to protect lives
Grenfell: a tale of systemic failures
A legal overview setting out the findings of the inquiry’s final report, its recommendations and the potential ramifications for the sector
Grenfell’s legacy should be a recommitment to safety and professionalism across our industry
The Grenfell tragedy underscores the vital role of collaboration and expert knowledge within the construction ecosystem
From green to grey: How the grey belt could steer development towards the wrong places
David Rudlin on why the most sustainable places to build may not always be in the grey belt
Bio-based buildings: ‘Nature is the template for what we increasingly expect from building operations’
Richard Francis explores the implications and applications of a bio-based approach to buildings
How Cambridge embraced growth, overcame nimbyism, and built better housing
A new report reveals how Cambridge overcame barriers to growth and set a new standard for UK housing development, write Stephen Platt
Avoiding an amnesic approach: Reflections on the race riots
Kudzai Matsvai on how the recent far-right riots underline the urgent need to address systemic injustices within the architectural profession and wider built environment
The five economic forces set to shape the built environment in the next decade
New research essays commissioned by RIBA take the long view on the impact of economic forces on architecture, writes Adrian Malleson
The five economic forces set to shape the built environment in the next decade
New research essays commissioned by RIBA take the long view on the impact of economic forces on architecture, writes Adrian Malleson
Old towns and new society: How Labour could learn from Bologna’s regeneration playbook
Ben Derbyshire looks to Italy for inspiration on how to revive struggling town centres
Engineering the Future: Why structural and material records hold the key to a circular economy in construction
Addressing information gaps in existing buildings is critical to unlocking the potential of sustainable construction, writes Rosie Beckett
Why architecture needs more jokes and less jargon
Can humour help demystify the world of design for a curious public, asks Eleanor Jolliffe
Good grief, time for better briefs!
Public sector tendering processes are too often a waste of time and money for all involved. Chloë Phelps shares her ideas for how to make the system start delivering
Building communities, not just homes: The case for intergenerational living
Satish Jassal on how innovative architecture and intergenerational living can help deliver solutions to the challenges of later life care and community cohesion
Harnessing daylight: The overlooked key to biophilic workplace design
There is a reason we feel motivated and inspired when outside, in large open spaces, and surrounded by nature. We evolved for thousands of years alongside the natural light of the sun and have grown to work and respond to those conditions.
It’s time to stop kicking the retrofit can down the road – we need urgent action now
Australian bank Macquarie now owns 100% of National Gas, raising questions about the direction and desire of industry to retrofit. The new government must take the lead and industry must get off the fence, says Smith Mordak
This is why we are campaigning for more leadership roles for women
Women are increasingly connecting and organising on the global level to help shape the future of the profession, writes Annette Fisher
What’s stopping us from building less?
If we are going to build less, does that mean we need to maintain more, asks Anna Beckett
The Coach: How do we deal with bereavement at work?
Experiences with grief highlight the need for workplaces to improve their support for bereavement, writes Louise Rodgers
How to create a family friendly workplace that supports your staff during the summer holidays and beyond
Balancing work and family life during summer holidays is challenging for parents and carers, but creating a supportive workplace can make a significant difference, writes Jimmy Bent
Why architects need to embrace the new UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
The NZCBS proposes to limit emissions in the built environment in line with our nation’s climate targets, writes Dav Bansal
Will Labour’s proposed planning changes really deliver more homes?
This week has been dominated by housing policy including a new towns task force and proposals to build more homes in more places including the green belt
Public Practice: How I discovered the joys of policy writing in the public sector
Writing policy and helping to shape the context of local development can be as rewarding as designing, writes Cinzia De Vincenziis
The Building Safety Act provides a once in a generation opportunity for architects to deliver meaningful change
The new act challenges the profession to up its game and rediscover its repututation for leadership and professionalism, writes Giuseppe Messina
The experts our cities need most
As expertise is welcomed back into government, it’s time our cities got the placemaking leadership they desperately need, writes Sophie Thompson
How the planning system can be improved under Labour
Ministers must be wary of unintended consequences when pushing ahead with planning reforms, writes Ben Derbyshire
How cities are redefining the meaning of Olympic legacy
As Olympic venues evolve from fleeting showcases to lasting urban assets, how we design for these huge international events reveals profound societal shifts, writes Eleanor Jolliffe
Historic England’s decarbonisation advice is a missed opportunity to fully embrace the climate crisis
The heritage advisor’s new guidance on how to retrofit historic buildings without harming them includes some welcome details but leaves too much to interpretation, writes climate and heritage specialist Chris Procter
Why we should be transforming struggling shopping centres into sustainable urban hubs
Could large shopping centres become dynamic, vibrant, mixed-use, live-work communities in the future? What are the factors that could drive this transformation, and why might it be desirable, asks Matt Bowker
Historic buildings are never in stasis. Why would it be any different for landscapes?
We need to approach landscape conservation with the same nuance and care that we show to buildings, write Patrick James and Dorian Proudfoot
Are we asking the right questions about profit?
Paul Vick on why we need to rethink the meaning of profitability and value to better reflect the real challenges of the environmental crisis
Will Labour backbenchers turn out to be YIMBYs or NIMBYs?
The election result means many traditionally anti-development constituencies now have Labour MPs with small majorities. Will they oppose Starmer’s green belt plans? And if so will he stand up to them, asks Paul Smith.
