The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
Want to make your office retrofit future-proof? Here’s how
The attitude of removing existing elements of commercial buildings and replacing them with ‘low-carbon’ new-build should be challenged, argues Kiru Balson
Opinion
Comment from leading voices in British architecture on news, practice and discourse
Why Profitable Neighbourhoods could be the key to successful house-building
As the Labour government sets out plans for 1.5 million new homes, the term ‘profitable’ needs to be reclaimed to signify sustainable neighbourhoods that work for existing communities, argues Cany Ash
‘Edinburgh Council’s retrofit strategy is an Orwellian nightmare’
No-one is a winner under Edinburgh Council’s retrofit scheme, argues Mel Esquerre, retrofit campaigner with Living Rent, who says the programme is a classic example of retrofit being ‘done to’ residents, rather than led by them
Want your practice to be greener? Our group can help
The Heads of Sustainability group (HoS), established in the same year that Architects Declare launched, now numbers over 100 participants and is promoting a culture of real collaboration, says Diana Dina
Here’s the clarity architects need on future-proofing historic buildings
Every older building can become more efficient and climate resilient if well-informed action is taken – and this is how you do it, says Historic England chief Duncan Wilson
Fossil fuel’s days are numbered and it’s architects’ time to shine
With coal power soon to be history, the Climate Change Committee is shifting its sights to oil and gas, which means it is time for us in the built environment to properly make an impact, says Smith Mordak
‘A new day brings a new government. Let’s seize the moment’
Urgent action on tackling climate change has faltered in recent years. The new Labour government brings a real opportunity for specific and well-considered policy change, argues Smith Mordak
In simplifying office-to-resi conversions, PDR is on the right track
Permitted development is already allowing widespread conversion of buildings but could do with some further tweaks, argue Emily Newton and Adam Fothergill
Natural service, not national service, is what Britain needs
A biomimicry conference in Spain gets Kunle Barker thinking about how a truly forward-thinking new UK government might transform our relationship with nature
Will someone join the dots between the skyscraper boom and flooding?
Major cities like London will be hit by widespread flooding if the planet’s temperature rises by 2°C. And tall buildings are making things worse, says Chris Wise