Building Insights

Ask The Expert: James Parker speaks to Jake Fitness of the Self-Build Zone, about the importance of taking site insurance issues into consideration as well as structural warranties. And how it brings not just essential peace of mind against issues like theft and safety, but helping offset impacts on your build when builders let you down.

James Parker speaks to Georgina Mullen, director at international architectural practice Hyphen. He learns how her experience in major retail and other projects in Ireland has armed her with the knowledge on increasingly rigorous Building Control approaches, to preempt compliance issues at the front end.

An Ask the Expert episode, in association with VM Building Solutions. James Parker speaks to Jonathan Lowy, Operational Marketing Manager, to discover how the use of zinc on facades and roofs has evolved in UK architects’ consciousness, the material variants that are catching their eyes, and how cost needs to be factored in with long-term durability.

James Parker, editor of ADF and Housebuilder & Developer, presents highlights of the Building Insights LIVE round table held recently on sharing practical initiatives to reduce embodied carbon at scale in design, construction and materials. Sponsored by Milbank Concrete Products, a precast specialist providing transparent embodied carbon reporting to the industry.

James Parker introduces the highlights of the Building Insights LIVE round table from April 2026 looking at maintaining the importance of building fabric in complying with the Future Homes Standard. Housebuilders, consultants and academics came together with the supply chain to explore solutions to the obstacles. Sponsored by Kingspan Insulation, Medite Smarply, Don & Low, Tarmac Group, Keysto...

In an Ask the Expert special, James Parker speaks to Thomas Beard, R&D manager at Amtico. They discuss the ‘enhancements’ the firm has launched for key PVC flooring ranges, bringing specifiers new levels of acoustics, safety and sustainability performance alongside aesthetics.

Editor of Housing Management & Maintenance James Parker presents the highlights from a recent round table, gathering social housing providers together with academics, consultants and the construction supply chain to explore smart solutions to protect tenants against fuel poverty. The round table discussion held in London was steered by expert chair Elaine Middleton, strategic consultant and bo...

Ask the Expert – in association with the National Self-Build & Renovation Centre. James Parker speaks to its sustainability manager Nick Whant, to find out how the Swindon self-build information hub is increasingly focusing on engaging visitors with retrofit techniques, from slow-and-low heating to better fabric. 

James Parker, editor of Housebuilder and Developer and Architects’ Datafile, captures the highlights of the recent Building Insights LIVE round table which looked at the impact for housebuilders of the just-launched Future Homes Standard. One of two Building Insights LIVE events in early 2026 on the Standard, this one covers the ramifications for specifying heating and renewables in new homes, and...

Highlights from the Dulux Trade-sponsored Building Insights LIVE round table Reviewing Current Biophilic Design in Workplaces. Co-chaired by biophilia expert, designer Oliver Heath, this session featured an array of specialists in nature-focused design, showing why clients are investing in the approach to retain and nurture staff.

James Parker, editor at Housing Management & Maintenance, speaks to Howard Trotter, Business Manager, Shelforce, about how he rescued the Birmingham City Council offshoot from ruin, and helped turn it into a profit-making entity with a strong social purpose. He also delves into how increased rigour around fire doors post-Building Safety Act has driven an even stronger focus on the consistent p...

James Parker, editor of ADF and Housebuilder & Developer, presents the highlights from a recent industry round table focused on solutions to the challenges of retrofitting the UK’s homes. Sponsored by NIBE Energy Systems and IDSystems, this was a frank and open discussion between specifiers, retrofit experts working at scale, and suppliers. The podcast contains a series of key recommendations...

In association with Dulux Trade. James Parker speaks to Dawn Scott, Senior Colour Designer at Dulux Trade, who’s highly experienced when it comes to specifying supportive environments for pupils and students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. They discuss how colour helps SEND children get maximum benefit in mainstream education settings.

Housing Management & Maintenance editor James Parker presents highlights from the recent Building Insights LIVE round table reviewing how the social housing sector’s adapting to the new regime of Awaab’s Law compliance. Sponsored by Tarmac, Cornerstone Management Services, and Ubbink, the delegates shared real world experience of implementing strategies for damp and mould hazards in particular...

James Parker, editor of Architects’ Datafile, presents the highlights from our recent Building Insights LIVE round table, Tracking Innovation on Water Saving in Commercial Buildings.  Sponsored by Cistermiser and Delabie UK, the event reviewed the industry’s responses to bringing greater water efficiency in commercial buildings, since our first event in 2025. It also heard views from a diverse pan...

James Parker speaks to Martin Hurn , Event Director at Futurebuild, who gives a sneak preview of some of the key features and themes of the 2026 event. He explains why the conference is themed under an alternative set of ‘three Rs’ - Resilience, Reuse, and Regenerative Design. Martin also outlines how Futurebuild is focusing on avoiding greenwash, harnessing existing knowledge not just product inn...

An Ask the Manufacturer special, in association with ID Systems. James Parker speaks to the firm’s marketing manager David Clarke, to discover how the 2021 changes to Building Regulations have driven the specification of better glazing systems for new build and retrofit domestic projects. They also discuss trends such as how sliding doors have overtaken bifolds as the go-to option, backed by findi...

James Parker speaks to John Di Stefano, CEO of innovative housebuilder Greencore Homes. James hears how he changed career from auditing housebuilders to helping grow a progressive firm which is moving the dial on delivering low carbon homes at scale.

James Parker, editor of ADF , speaks to Ewan Duffin, associate director from multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Harley Haddow. He explains how architects and engineers can work together to deploy engineered timber in Modern Methods of Construction, to go beyond net zero and embrace regenerative design.

An Ask the Expert special, in association with NIBE. James Parker speaks to Rick Clarke, product manager from the firm on why its focus on only building high quality, high efficiency heat pumps is crucial as electricity prices continue to outstrip gas. He also looks at why air source heat pumps are not the only answer, and how self-builders can benefit from an array of user-friendly smart tech to...

James Parker, editor of Architects’ Datafile and Housebuilder and Developer, presents the key findings from a recent Building Insights LIVE industry round table, including knowledge shared from designers, industry associations and supply chain representatives. This session was sponsored by Amtico and Soprema UK, who were represented at the discussion.

Presented by editor of Housing Management and Maintenance magazine, James Parker, this podcast episode collects the key recommendations from the Building Insights LIVE industry round table which looked at Solutions for Decarbonising Social Housing. Sponsored by WMS Underfloor Heating, LHC Procurement Group, Intergas Heating and Mira Showers, and chaired by Matt Baird of Spring Housing, the event e...

James Parker presents key findings and highlights from the recent Building Insights LIVE round table on secondary heating’s role in new housing developments’ resilience. Sponsored by Percy Doughty, Charlton & Jenrick and Jotul UK, the discussion looked at how the stoves industry can support housebuilders and homeowners in identifying the best options, with wood burning stoves now permitted und...

In association with BuildStore Mortgage Services; James Parker, editor of Housebuilder and Developer magazine speaks to Tom McSherry, National Business Development Manager, BuildStore Mortgage Services. Tom gives us the benefit of 20+ years of experience at Buildstore and housebuilding in a very pertinent conversation around short-term funding – such as bridging loans. He outlines in particular th...

This is a special Ask the Manufacturer episode, brought to you in association with Grant Westfield, an award-winning bathroom design specialist manufacturer. James Parker, editor of Housebuilder and Developer speaks to specification sales director Jamie Sandilands about how recent regulation changes around tanking in baths, showers and wetrooms are driving more robust waterproofing in residential...