James Hardie, the world leader in the manufacture of high-performance fibre cement building solutions, has announced the launch of the Conceal System for Hardie® Panel, a new mechanical concealed fixing system designed to deliver a flawless finish, improved durability and simplified maintenance for fibre cement soffit installations. Developed in partnership with KEIL®, the Conceal System for Hardie® Panel has been engineered specifically for use with 11mm Hardie® Panel and Ha

Theatr Clwyd  was built in the mid-70s to house both theatre and TV production. It is still Wales’ main producing theatre. Situated in the hills above the town of Mold, the Grade 2 Listed structure needed urgent reconfiguration and upgrading. The aim was to expand its cultural role and deliver a performance, music and communal space for North Wales. Architect Haworth Tompkins  aimed to repurpose the existing fabric. By demolishing only where necessary, they would also hit a w

Newton Specialist Contractor MJ Rooney  undertook this extensive basement construction project beneath a period Georgian property in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Working alongside designers from Open Architecture and  Croft Structural Engineers , the MJ Rooney team needed to carry out deep and large-scale excavations. This included significantly extending the existing basement beneath the period property and the rear garden, whilst retaining the original structure above with minima

FP McCann’s architectural facade division has supplied and installed bespoke acid-etched precast concrete cladding units, stone inlaid precast panels and precast balconies to envelope a brand-new 190,000 sqft luxury residential development overlooking Hyde Park, London. “Park Modern” is a nine-storey building comprising 57 high-end one to six bedroom apartments, amongst some of the most prestigious in Kensington. Residents in the development have access to valet parking, a re

As the annual SterlingOSB Zero/RIBAJ competition celebrated its 10th anniversary,  the 2025 competition entitled Powers of Ten , challenged architects to explore the principles of scale. Entrants were unrestricted by building standards and were free to play with the concept of scale and design a structure from competition sponsor West Fraser's SterlingOSB  Zero . This year's competition winner, Kashdan-Brown  Architects, imagined a 1:10 scale model reconstruction of the 140-m

West Fraser   has always been committed to being at the environmental forefront within its industry. The company promotes the benefits of sustainable forestry , w ith young, fast-growing trees being the lungs of Earth, breathing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during the day to help generate a healthy world in which we can all thrive . The company’s  well - managed stocks  also  provide the raw material for the company’s panel products.  As well as planting more trees

David Connacher, Marketing Manager of West Fraser, discusses the benefits of engineered wood panels It is well accepted that the use of timber panel products began a century back when plywood was first manufactured in quantity .   Aeons beforehand, the E gyptians also came to understand the benefit of gluing sections of timber together, enhancing the natural strength of wood fibres by alternating the direction of the grain.  Today, as mankind struggles with huge population gr

The reconstruction of a rambling old farmyard close to Ely in East Cambridgeshire is making use of well proven Marmox Thermoblocks, specified in three widths as the ideal solution for tackling thermal-bridging around the building perimeter as part of a well-insulated design. Mitchell’s Barn is replacing a sprawling complex of dilapidated tin cowsheds and a rather more attractive oak barn which was founded on a plinth of Tudor era bricks. The original planning permission allow

Specialist contractors working on a new high school in Dumfries have shown the ongoing benefits of technical and learning support when it comes to delivering low energy construction. Having already used the A. Proctor Group’s external air barrier, Wraptite®, on a previous project, they have now applied that experience to another LEIP-funded school project. Dumfries High School is a replacement school currently under construction.  It is the second phase of a three-phase proje