The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
In simplifying office-to-resi conversions, PDR is on the right track
Permitted development is already allowing widespread conversion of buildings but could do with some further tweaks, argue Emily Newton and Adam Fothergill
Opinion
Comment from leading voices in British architecture on news, practice and discourse
Natural service, not national service, is what Britain needs
A biomimicry conference in Spain gets Kunle Barker thinking about how a truly forward-thinking new UK government might transform our relationship with nature
Will someone join the dots between the skyscraper boom and flooding?
Major cities like London will be hit by widespread flooding if the planet’s temperature rises by 2°C. And tall buildings are making things worse, says Chris Wise
Why government policy must urgently support heat-proofing of homes
External louvres, blinds and thermal shutters should come under permitted development unless we want the death toll from overheating to spiral, writes Bartlett professor Stephen Gage
Investing in green infrastructure, like retrofitting, is a no-brainer
Better provision and care for green infrastructure would benefit public health, the environment, wellbeing and social priorities, says Cristina Monteiro
Why it’s time to start decoding green construction
Delivering lower-impact buildings through construction is complicated, says HTA’s Rory Bergin, but as a profession, we need to get better at it
Whatever the project, the future must include the past
Marking the launch of a new ideas competition for M&S Oxford Street, zero-carbon expert Simon Sturgis calls for a more imaginative approach to changes to existing and even listed buildings
Architecture’s boys club is fading but we still have further to go
The once very prominent boys club is on its way out in UK architecture, says Arup’s Kathryn Firth on International Women's Day
Why we need a ‘structure first’ approach to existing buildings
To create a more regenerative built environment, it’s important not to impose new-build standards on old buildings and to use a structural engineer from the outset, argues Penny Gowler
Let’s celebrate one of the profession’s best qualities – visionary thinking
The AJ’s February issue – which is published today – showcases architects’ ability to instigate positive social and environmental change