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Housing needs architects – and it’s time to make the case
Félicie Krikler writes for BD on housing-related issues at a critical moment for the sector
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It’s time for trams – and Britain needs to catch up
David Milner explains how Europe’s thriving tram networks are driving growth and cutting congestion, while the UK’s cities struggle with poor transport, high housing costs, and weak productivity
A failure of planning? The uncertain fate of Birmingham’s historic markets
Despite eight centuries of history, Birmingham’s markets are being sidelined in the city’s latest redevelopment plans – with traders facing an uncertain future and no clear strategy for continuity, writes Joe Holyoak
Grenfell Tower: what happens next will define how we remember
Emma Dent Coad reflects on the deep divisions and difficult choices facing the community as the government prepares to announce the fate of Grenfell Tower
Architecture at a crossroads: why low pay threatens the future of the profession
Aga Szedzianis asks what architecture can do to rebuild its value and secure its future
Why the key to reviving our towns is people-centred regeneration
It is time for the government to focus on ‘thriving towns for a revived nation’ writes Ben Derbyshire
Tackling surface water flooding: why our cities need a blue-green revolution
Andrew Mellor examines the rising threat of surface water flooding and calls for transformative strategies that integrate nature-based solutions into urban planning
Architects, stop being shy: it’s time to learn from your buildings
Eleanor Jolliffe explores why post-occupancy evaluation remains so often overlooked
Is it time to stop building in the wildfire affected areas of California?
The recent fires in the hills around Los Angeles are the most costly in US history. Does it really make sense to live in these heavily wooded places?
No demolition, no compromise: Civic Square’s radical approach to the future of urbanism
In Birmingham’s Ladywood, Civic Square is championing a radical, community-led approach to urbanism, writes Joe Holyoak
No demolition, no compromise: Civic Square’s radical approach to the future of urbanism
In Birmingham’s Ladywood, Civic Square is championing a radical, community-led approach to urbanism, writes Joe Holyoak
WA100 2025: Western Europe leads on net zero
This year Gensler, the world’s biggest practice, saw the number of architects it employs drop below the 3,000 mark, the milestone which it broke through in 2023. The second-placed firm, Arcadis, also saw numbers fall. But these drops mean little when measured against the wider profession; our annual survey of ...
Can Henry Ford-style housebuilding work?
Nick Pinder, Mariya Rankin and Magdalena Prus explore the contractual and regulatory implications of a cookie-cutter approach to housebuilding
Architectural ambition and design by attrition
Robert Adam calls for greater clarity in the planning system to help designers maintain their vision and ambition
Why brick remains central to architectural craft
Satish Jassal examines the enduring relevance of brickwork in today’s built environment
Twenty years of brilliance: Christophe Egret’s legacy at Studio Egret West
Martyn Evans reflects on two decades of collaboration with Christophe Egret
The rising toll of disasters: why the US needs coordinated national action on climate change
Wildfires, hurricanes, and rising sea levels have made no corner of the US immune to the impacts of climate change
Why cutting waste is key to building more homes in 2025
Chloe Phelps reflects on how the profession can rise to the challenge of delivering 1.5 million new homes
Putting children and young people at the heart of housing design
Dinah Bornat explores how housing design can better meet the needs of younger generations
If new housing can be delivered in Canary Wharf, what is to stop the Square Mile following suit?
Ben Derbyshire looks at how London’s two business districts have taken a very different approach to housing as they respond to working from home
Engineering the future: treat AI as a tool in the box, not a master carpenter
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising workflows across industries, but its value lies in complementing human expertise rather than replacing it
The new NPPF will help at the margins but does little to reform our planning system
The latest changes to the National Planning Policy Framework offer some welcome tweaks, but the system remains as complex and inconsistent as ever
Sexual harassment at work: employers’ new duties
Ashley Scriven explains changes in the employer’s duty to protect employees from sexual harassment
Navigating the talent shortage: recruitment lessons for the year ahead
With hiring challenges mounting, firms must rethink their strategies to secure the best talent in a competitive market, writes Jimmy Bent
The government’s race to remediate unsafe homes: the promises and pitfalls
Andrew Mellor examines the government’s latest plan to accelerate building remediation, questioning whether speed can be achieved without compromising safety and quality
Reuse, conservation, and learning: looking ahead to what will shape architectural practice in 2025
Eleanor Jolliffe draws inspiration from her book collection to explore how conservation work and ongoing education are shaping her architectural practice, highlighting key themes for the profession in the year ahead
It’s time for designers to electrify
Suzanna Lashford is leading efforts to help the UK’s construction sector shift to sustainable energy solutions, advocating electrification as the only sustainable path forward for new developments
Wellbeing isn’t delulu – it’s key to creating healthier places
Marking the end of 2024, Sophie Thompson examines how the challenges of modern life are reshaping our relationship with place
Public Practice: Translating architectural skills into public sector impact
Leonora Aigbokhae explains how her transition from private practice to the public sector has expanded her role and impact as an architect
What’s stopping us from doing even better in 2025?
As the construction industry makes strides in sustainability, Anna Beckett asks why we can’t achieve even more in the year ahead
Meeting housing targets is not enough – 2025 must deliver better homes for those who need them most
Martyn Evans argues that meeting housing targets isn’t enough – it’s time to prioritise affordability, quality, and a shared vision for the future
The Coach: why listening to your mind and body is wisdom, not weakness
In the midst of relentless deadlines, seasonal stress, and the demands of daily life, Louise Rodgers shares why listening to your mind and body is vital
Why architects need to prove their worth – and charge for it
How can architects justify charging more? Matt Thompson argues that proving their worth is the first step to solving the fees crisis
Planning more clearly is the way to delegate decision-making
Nicholas Boys Smith explores how collaboration, clarity, and existing legislation could help ensure the planning system works for all
