In focus
Construction waste: Low hanging fruit
Stripping buildings of their reuse components before they are demolished can reduce demand for new materials.
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Building materials
When is a concrete floor the right choice?
Dick Clarke explains the benefits and design considerations for choosing a concrete slab, and some alternatives.
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In focus
In search of good wood: building with sustainably sourced timber
How do you go about finding sustainably sourced timber?
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New build
A problem shared…
Peter and Teresa’s family home, a careful composition of old and new in a series of pavilions, will continue to evolve with their growing family and changing lifestyle.
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Building materials
Bamboo build
Used as a building staple in South-East Asia since ancient times, bamboo is now seen as the ecological choice for everything from floorboards to cleaning products, but just how green is this grass?
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Ideas & Advice
Ask our experts: Choosing tiles
Melissa Wittig helps a reader with a question on the tricky subject of sustainable tiling.
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Outdoors
Get your sun shades on: external blinds and shading
In most climates, appropriate sun shading is as important to successful passive solar design as orientation and window placement. Anna Cumming looks at how to keep the sun out when it’s not wanted.
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Building materials
Greener building blocks
Jo Isaac looks at some of the materials, bricks and blocks available for your new build.
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Building materials
Phase change materials as thermal mass
Our regular columnist, Dick Clarke, looks at the latest in thermal building products – phase change materials.
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Building materials
Retrofitting thermal mass
Retrofitting thermal mass to timberframed buildings is possible and can make your home that much more comfortable and thermally efficient. Dick Clarke looks at how it’s done.
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Building materials
Straw bale: An enduring building technique
Whether you’re planning a sleek or rustic-looking house, straw bales are a low cost and sustainable building material with flexibility.
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