Understanding Vapour Control and Vapour Barriers in Design
The construction industry’s approach to moisture management has long been plagued by oversimplification, particularly when it comes to…
Browsing Category
Planning and Design
81 posts
In the realm of property, “planning and design” refers to the process of strategically envisioning and creating a blueprint for the development or improvement of a property. It involves considering various factors such as functionality, aesthetics, compliance with regulations, and the overall vision for the property. The planning phase entails analyzing the property’s purpose, location, and constraints, while the conceptualization phase involves generating design ideas and concepts.
Architects and designers then translate these concepts into detailed plans and drawings, accounting for structural integrity, energy efficiency, accessibility, and aesthetics. This process also extends to landscape design for outdoor spaces and interior design for creating appealing and functional environments within the property. Collaboration among professionals is crucial throughout this process to ensure a comprehensive and well-executed plan that aligns with the property’s goals and maximizes its value and potential.
Designing Affordable, Innovative, and Sustainable Homes using Prescriptive Building Codes
I think it’s fair to say that building codes in many countries are one of the biggest limiting factors impeding progress in the building industry. Their directives often don’t accommodate more advanced, efficient, or sustainable building systems and practices.
How Homes Survived the LA Wildfires: Design Strategies for Fire Resistance
Lessons from LA Wildfires: Designing Fire-Resistant Homes I’ve been reflecting a lot over the last week on the…
How Can Designers be Drivers of Truly Affordable Housing?
Affordable Housing Needs To Be Driven By Our Designers I believe the key to designing truly affordable housing…
Self-Build Buyer’s Guide: Buying Land, My Top 15 considerations
As a buyer looking to build a new house, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the land you intend to purchase. The following guide provides essential considerations to help you make an informed decision about the suitability and offer you should make on development land. Consider the cost implications of each factor before making your offer to buy the land.
Living with Beauty: How Urban Planning Can Shape Thriving, Aesthetic Communities
An interesting extract from a Dezeen's hosted video chatting with Mary Parsons, the commissioner behind the Building Better, Building Beautiful report in the UK. It's a good insight into urban planning initiatives in the UK and highlights some of the lessons we all need to learn about poor planning on our housing developments. A good video for all architects and developers.
Performance Based Fire Design for Mass Timber
One of the biggest misconceptions about timber buildings is that they do not perform well in fire. Although mass timber elements can be encapsulated in gypsum wallboard or a similar material to achieve the required fire-resistance rating, most designers and owners prefer to leave the timber elements exposed.
Post and Beam vs. Post and Plate: Which is Best for Mass Timber Projects?
Mass timber panels including cross laminated timber (CLT) have the ability to span in 2-directions, using structural properties obtained in both the major and minor panel axes. Doing so can result in a beamless system often referred to as Post and Plate (a framing configuration also used in flat plate concrete construction).
Thinking of Building with SIPs? Everything You Need to Know
SIPs’ ability to achieve extremely low air leakage rates demonstrates their potential to create highly energy-efficient homes. The real-world examples of achieving air tightness below 0.3 ACH50 are truly impressive and bode well for the energy-efficient housing of the future.
Air Freight Vs Sea Freight: A Comprehensive Guide from Cost to Carbon Footprint
When it comes to choosing between air freight vs sea freight for businesses managing global supply chains, the…
