A wide range of interesting articles that help you make informed decisions and deliver the best projects for your clients authored by our team of NBS subject specialists and construction industry contributors.
Sustainability
NBS Guide: Embodied Carbon Calculations
Learn how to align your carbon assessments with BIM workflows. This guide to Embodied Carbon Calculations, developed by NBS and Circular Ecology, sets out a practical, standardised approach to calculating the embodied carbon of building materials and products, and how to apply this data to BIM objects.
Must Reads
The hidden cost of compliance: why architects are demanding a new era of product transparency
Few pieces of legislation have reshaped the UK construction industry as significantly as the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA). Introduced to improve accountability, traceability and safety standards ...
Design and Specification
Brick slip cladding systems – the need for robust specification
This article from the NBS technical team outlines specification for brick slip technology, including history, technology, design, safety and testing.
When product data creates risk, AluK delivers the clarity and support architects need
The need to build more homes, more quickly, has not changed. If anything, the pressure has intensified. However, the conversation around Modern Methods of Construction has evolved.
2017 - The construction year in review
Economic uncertainty continued in 2017 with seemingly slow progress in Brexit negotiations giving clients and constructors pause. A commitment to move on to trade talks in 2018 is encouraging but ...
Design and SpecificationDigital Transformation
Reduce embodied carbon from the start
Measure, compare and reduce upfront embodied carbon using trusted UK data and pre-built assemblies.
Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Have a go at our latest quick quiz...
Digital TransformationNBS Annual 2018
Norway to build world's tallest timber building
The building is named after its neighbour and Norway’s largest lake, Mjøsa and will sit on the edge of the north-eastern tip of the lake in the small town of Brumunddal, an hour and a half’s drive ...
Design and SpecificationConstruction Products
Drones in construction
Even small-scale construction projects can benefit from a bird’s eye view. Getting a detailed picture of the lay of the land before construction even begins can be invaluable. And it’s not just ...
Design and SpecificationSustainability
Will we ever achieve zero carbon homes?
In December 2006 the government made an ambitious pledge. It was a pledge that would have ensured that within a decade every new home would be a 'zero carbon' home.
SustainabilityVentilation
What is a point cloud survey?
When it comes to surveying existing buildings laser scanning offers a multitude of advantages - it's a relatively quick and precise way to capture 3D data as a point cloud. All this data can then be ...
Design and SpecificationDigital Transformation
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What is PAS 1192-6?
Update: Since this article was first written, all the content from the NBS National BIM Library has moved across to NBS Source. ...
Digital TransformationHealth and Safety
Passenger or platform lifts - Which is best?
If your building has multiple floors or spaces where the floor levels change then its likely that you'll need to consider some kind of lift to quickly and efficiently move people through your spaces. ...
Design and SpecificationHealth and Safety
Exoskeleton set to take the strain for construction workers
Working on a construction site can easily take its toll on the human body. Tasks can be strenuous, repetitive, high-impact... and that affects productivity, as well as workers' wellbeing and ...
Health and Safety
T-level programme for construction to begin in 2020
The government is pressing ahead with the launch of T-level courses and has confirmed that a course in construction will be among the first to be offered to students from 2020/21, two years later ...
Design and SpecificationGovernment policy
What are Plain Language Questions (PLQs)?
Plain Language Questions (PLQs) are posed by a client/employer at various stages throughout a construction project and responded to by the supplier(s).
Design and SpecificationDigital Transformation
St John Ambulance app puts first aid advice at your fingertips
St John Ambulance is the country's leading first aid charity and can often be seen out and about at gigs, football matches and other events.