UK homeowners are causing thousands of pounds worth of damage by attempting DIY and not hiring professionals, new research has revealed.
The office work paradigm was shifting before the pandemic, but remote working on a mass scale has transformed our view of where and how we work, creating profound and irreversible change in the way offices and working spaces will be used in a post-Covid world, a new report from international law firm Withers explains.
Google searches for ‘DIY’ hit a 16-year high during lockdown, with many Brits using their extra time indoors to tick off odd jobs around the home. However, mistakes can prove costly, with some renovation projects potentially knocking tens of thousands of pounds off your property value. To help homeowners complete their DIY tasks safely and to a high standard, sofa and carpet specialist, ScS, has revealed and answered the UK’s five most common ‘how to fix…’ Google searches.
Gardening is an excellent hobby, but it can also be a good source of income. With people wanting more beautiful outdoor spaces comes with the opportunity of starting your very own garden maintenance business. If you’re planning to have your own, here are a few tips you can follow for a successful startup.
Over recent months, it’s become evident the need for more living space in homes is rising and one of the most cost-effective ways to extend a home is by building a conservatory. Not only are they cheaper and quicker than full-blown extensions, these lifestyle-enhancing spaces can add value to a property. To get the most from a conservatory, Matthew Currington, Technical Director at The Lighting Superstore has a put together a helpful guide when thinking of adding a conservatory to your property.
A garden shed is undoubtedly a valuable feature of any house that can serve a variety of different purposes. From a space to store tools and lawn equipment to a mini getaway from the main house’s hustle and bustle, it is the perfect structure that brings nature indoors.
The impact of Covid-19 on every aspect of life is undeniable. As the pandemic began to spread throughout March 2020, no one could have foretold the ways in which this disease would change society. One industry that has remained open throughout lockdown and been forced to quickly innovate is construction – and Matt Linekar and Stephen Moore from contractor Willmott Dixon have been at the forefront.
COVID has changed the way we all live, and for most people that involves spending extra time at home. From the way we build homes and interact with clients to make it happen to the contents of the homes themselves, many of the steps along the way are subject to change in this new reality. Building spaces for people to relax and feel truly at home will never change, but the world of COVID has brought a few considerations for the best practices in getting there.
When designing an outdoor space, you can really dress it up however works best for you and your style. Even when you’re satisfied with the build you’ve always dreamed of, dressing up the space and making it feel like home is the other half of the fun. Thinking about decorative priorities and ideas can even help when structuring your build for practical purposes. Knowing how a space is actually going to be used is one of the key pieces of building it well.
Good architecture does more than simply function. It plays a major role in the health and wellbeing of those who use the building. This is the beating heart of Blichfeldt Architects. Now being recognised in BUILD’s 2020 Design & Build Awards as Best Specialist Passive House Design Firm 2020 – Denmark, we look more closely at the firm to see just what it offers in the way of designs that can heal in style.
Architecture and design is an often overlooked art form by many. Where some people see buildings and houses, architecture firms and their teams see a myriad of shapes and movements, each part linking together seamlessly for a powerful or subtle effect. Residential architecture and design in particular, is a speciality of Ukrainian firm, KYB Architects. The firm was recognised in BUILD’s Design and Build Awards 2020, with the title of Specialists in Residential Design: “Private Houses” in Ukraine – 2020, so we took a closer look at its work to learn more about why.
When you think about your business, you often consider your daily operations, employees, finances and marketing tactics. What may not come to mind, however, is your building’s exterior. This small factor can have a significant impact on your company’s success.
Over half of Brits are prioritising plans to update their home as the Covid-19 restrictions continue to be eased in the UK, with one in eight expecting to spend money on improvements within the next six months.
We’ve featured many architecture firms since the launch of our first issue. All excel in one way or another: from changing the way we think about form and function, or challenging paradigms, or through a unique vision or perspective.
Centrally located in San Juan, V Architecture has become one of Puerto Rico’s foremost architecture, urban planning, and design firms. We sat down with President and Principal Architect, Ilia Rios, who tells us more.
Whitneybell Perry Architects is a Phoenix, Arizona-based firm specializing in stylish and sustainable multi-family residential and commercial architectural services. Douglas Whitneybell, the firm’s founder, tells us more about the company….
Founded in 1992, Fernanda Marques Arquitetos Associados has grown into one of the most outstanding architectural design firms in Brazil….
As summer quickly approaches, now’s a perfect opportunity to head outside and work on some projects. From painted front doors to backyard fire pits, there’s a ton of different ways to add a little curb appeal to your house. These ideas don’t take too much time or effort, either – which makes for an awesome weekend remodel.
Picture this — you step out into your backyard and see a beautiful landscape. Perhaps there’s an intricate brick patio beneath your feet, a stone wall cradling holly bushes, and a gathering space complete with a fire pit and wooden benches. This scene is your hardscape.
With more time being spent indoors, focusing on creative pursuits may just help temporarily relieve stress from the outside world.
In May 2016, one of the UK’s leading independent environmentalists, Chris Baines, wrote a thought-provoking article for the BBC’s Wildlife magazine. In the article, he put forward the novel idea that developments, such as the construction of high speed rail line HS2, could actually be good for nature. Controversial though this might be to environmentalists and naturalists, the fact is, with an increasing population comes an increasing need for more infrastructure. So, it’s never been more important to try to align the two problems; that is nature vs developments.
All across the globe, people are turning to more simple styles of living. Often, this means downsizing their collection of things as well as the size of their home. While tiny homes can be affordable, environmentally friendly and simplistic, potential buyers still need to feel that the space is enough to live in. Regardless of square footage, there are several ways builders and designers can create accommodating homes.
For Lydia Kallipoliti, research and design are indivisible and intertwining. Her thinktank, ANA cycle reframes contemporary discussions on global warming, recycling, and sustainability by demonstrating the roots of current thought in experimental positions in the context of natural history, environmental science and visual culture in the twentieth century. We caught up with this leading architect, engineer, scholar and curator to see what made her and her experimental studio Best of BUILD.
The times, they are a’ changing. Technology has become more widespread than ever before, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Founded in 2018 and capitalising on the latest advancements in technology across a wide variety of mediums, BeeByte Software Solutions are a fresh software development company seeking to help clients in their digital evolution.
Established in August 2018 by experienced architect and interior designer Tara Lamb, LAM Architects is a chartered architecture firm based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We profile the firm to learn more about its resounding success and Tara’s considerable efforts to stand out as a woman in a male dominated industry.
Instead of fighting back the bugs again this year, read these landscaping tips to help deter pest activity. By rethinking a few of the features in your yard, you could prevent the pests from ever making a home on your property again.
While small wooden and plastic model buildings are a ubiquitous and almost cliched component of home design in 2020, there is often a limited understanding of why they are so important for everything we do as architects. With this in mind, here is why making models in architecture matters so much.
Refik Anadol Studio finds its creative inspiration at the intersection between humanity and machine. Whilst many designers and artists alike have forged remarkable statement pieces and entire exhibitions around this cornerstone, Refik Anadol has moved a step beyond, looking to innovate, challenge and drive the future of art and expression. We spoke to the data artist himself to find out more about his work, creative ambition and achievements.
Whether you are looking at renovating an office or even looking to build one, there are many aspects to consider which are often forgotten. Sometimes it is necessary to start from the bottom up, and if you’re looking for commercial flooring then these are the main priorities to keep in mind.
Based in Massachusetts, European Home provides expertly crafted gas, wood and electric fireplaces to their high-end clientele. Following their success in the 2019 Design and Build Awards, where they were recognised with the title ‘Excellence in Modular Interior Products – Modular Fireplace Surrounds’, we spoke with Liz Lee, Lead Product Coordinator, to find out more.
People building homes today care about open concepts, the size of the master suite and how high the ceilings will be. Yet they also care about where materials come from and their impact on the environment. Read our guide to learn about 2020 trends in sustainability and natural design.
It’s no secret that 2019 has been a difficult year in many ways. Hanging over almost everything has been the uncertainty caused by Brexit, which has not only left the country in a form of parliamentary paralysis but also had a fairly major effect on the housing market too.
The key to any business is making the most profit for the least expense, and the most essential indicator of how well your business will flourish is its efficiency. Whether your company centers around manufacturing or this is just a small part of your business, improving efficiency in this area is key to providing a good service and making the most of your time.
Raw material costs are rising, gas and fuel prices fluctuate and the costs of running heavy machinery and related equipment change. It’s clear then that cutting down on operating costs is vital to success in today’s world. The question is, how does one make that happen? What can construction crews and homebuilders do to reduce costs?
Cameron Contracting Ltd. is a fully family owned and operated construction company with over 30 years of industry experience.
New products from Arlon Graphics available for architects, interior designers and home décor experts
Arlon Graphics is a global leader in graphic films and provides easy solutions for your real-world applications. The new range of products includes interior and exterior wall films and window graphics for residential and commercial projects.