Knowledge

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

A specifier’s guide to BREEAM New Construction V7

Discover how specification can support BREEAM New Construction V7, with practical guidance from NBS and BRE on assessment requirements, evidence and more sustainable project outcomes.

Must Reads

  • Sponsored

    Designing sustainability into construction – proof over promises in sustainable construction

    With tightening regulations and growing client demand, the construction industry is under increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable progress against carbon reduction targets. For specifiers, that ...

  • Construction Products

    Dulux Trade launches new solution for high-humidity spaces

    Because of how they are used, kitchens and bathrooms experience more moisture, more contact, and more ongoing maintenance. Standard emulsions are not designed for this level of use. Over time, ...

  • design-and-specification

    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 ...

Intelligent proprietary specification

As part of the series of BITESized talks at the RIBA Village auditorium at Ecobuild 2013, Clair Hillier of RIBA Enterprises discusses intelligent proprietary specification.

Design and SpecificationVideo
NBS-LCA

Reduce embodied carbon from the start

Measure, compare and reduce upfront embodied carbon using trusted UK data and pre-built assemblies.

University of Nottingham Jubilee Campus expansion

The University of Nottingham's distinctive Jubilee Campus is a development that is intended to demonstrate the University's commitment to exemplary standards of energy efficiency in its buildings.

Design and SpecificationVideo

Sports ground reuse

The tourists have gone, normal television service has resumed and official merchandise fills up the bargain bins. With the summer 2012 Olympics now over, it is hoped that a lasting legacy will be ...

Design and SpecificationSports grounds

Staircase Engineering and Design

This programme takes a look at the construction of stairs. It will explore the deceptively simple engineering in structurally efficient, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly stairs. A direct ...

Design and SpecificationVideo

Designing the Aquatics Centres Roof

This programme looks at how the wave-like roof that spans Zaha Hadid’s Aquatics Centre in the 2012 Olympic Park was designed and built.

Design and SpecificationVideo

The new uniclass work sections table

Uniclass is set to change, including Table J – the Common Arrangement of Works Sections (CAWS). Here John Gelder, Head of content development and sustainability, outlines the replacement for CAWS.

Design and SpecificationUniclass

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Substitution and beyond

In this article, John Gelder explores substitution, the use of 'or equal' and its ilk, and 'deemed-to-comply' specifications, and makes a few suggestions.

Design and SpecificationSpecification

Peter Eisenman: What makes great architecture?

This programme explores Peter Eisenman’s architectural and theoretical works, as well exploring his opinions on the state of architecture today. Eisenman’s new book, Ten Canonical Buildings: ...

Design and SpecificationVideo

King's Cross Central: Gasometers

Before we run through Argent's plans for King's Cross Central, the scene is set by showing how King's Cross's once famous gas holder Triplet lies mothballed in racks next to the ...

Design and SpecificationVideo

Restoring Carver's Warehouse

Carver's Warehouse is one of the most important listed buildings in Manchester's industrial heritage. Built in 1806, the stone-built structure retains virtually all of its original timber and cast iron internal structure. The challenge for owner Town Centre Securities was to restore the building back to its former glory, but to do so in a way that made the development commercially viable. Key to the project was the addition of a new two storey building and atrium of contemporary design linking into the 19th century building.

Design and SpecificationVideo

Timber weathering

Timber has long been a staple construction material for domestic scale properties, although it is increasingly being used in high-profile structures such as the Weald & Downland Gridshell. ...

Design and SpecificationVideo

TalkBack: Patrik Schumacher on Parametricism

Patrik Schumacher, partner at Zaha Hadid Architects, has recently come to prominence with his ideas on parametricism.

Design and SpecificationVideo