Building Insights

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, Keystone Lintels and Eurocell.

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 board member at housing association Livin Housing. Sponsors of the event were Showersave, Glen Dimplex, Intergas and Chameleon Technology.

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 was sponsored by Panasonic Heating & Ventilation, WMS Underfloor Heating, Garo Electric, Recoup Energy Solutions and Envirovent. As well as insights from all sponsors, there were informative contributions from leading academics, housebuilders, consultants and industry bodies. 

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 product performance and training the firm excels at.

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 for action to drive forward these essential projects.  

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, and reviewed progress since our 2025 round table on the subject.

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 panel on the current initiatives at government and industry level, from mandatory product labelling to the rollout of smart meters.

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 innovation, and working with industry bodies to bring retrofit to the core of its programme.

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 findings from ID Systems-sponsored research within ADF and Housebuilder and Developer audiences.

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 fine tune their heating’s efficiency.

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 explored a range of key solutions to the challenge, including from the supply chain perspective. It was a frank and open discussion on the pressing need to find solutions to retrofit the UK's social housing for lower bills and lower carbon. The podcast includes recommendations from delegates on the best ways to take advantage of the ongoing £1.29bn Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, including industry collaboration and engagement with tenants.

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 under the Future Homes Standard.*Disclaimer: Danielle Michalska-Morris of Taylor Wimpey says that secondary heating is currently not part of standard specification.

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 the support and clarity developers need to navigate current financial storms.

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 projects. He explains some time and cost-saving solutions to the challenges.

In this Ask the Expert episode in association with BuildStore Mortgage Services, James Parker speaks to Tom McSherry, National Business Development Manager at BuildStore Mortgage Services. He explains how the company, which is 25 years old this year, has unlocked the possibility of self-build and home renovation for a much wider demographic thanks to innovative mortgage products such as guaranteed stage payments. Tom also tackles some of the myths around self-build mortgages.

Highlights of the Building Insights LIVE round table held in London in July, on Inclusive & Sensory Design for Education Environments. Sponsored by Interface and Dulux Trade, it saw designers discussing challenges for creating education environments that can support the widest range of neurodiverse needs in mainstream education.

Highlights of the second meeting of a new cross-disciplinary Design for Inclusivity Network for sharing good practice on inclusive design. This round table was sponsored by Amtico Flooring and Johnstone's Trade Paints and took place at Amtico's London Flooring Studio. Expert designers, academics, manufacturers and care professionals tackled many challenges, from design for dementia to broader inclusivity issues.

Highlights from the recent Building Insights LIVE round table staged by Housing Management & Maintenance magazine, looking at how to manage data to provide the ‘Golden Thread of Information’ on higher-risk buildings. Sponsored by K Systems and Winkhaus, the event at the Institute of Directors in London saw a range of experts exchanging strong views about what the sector needs to optimise safety.

Will the Future Homes Standard come into force in 2025 as planned? This was just one of many questions addressed around the challenges of building homes 75%-80% lower carbon emissions than current standards, by our expert round table held at the Institute of Directors in London in May. Held just as the controversial Home Energy Model was due to launch, this well-timed event featured major housebuilders and five sponsors (Kingspan Insulation, Glen Dimplex, WMS Underfloor Heating, E.ON and MIRA), and contained a host of essential industry insights. This podcast episode presents a selection of highlights from our biggest discussion yet.

Jon Lowy talks James Parker through the ins and outs of performance specifications, why they’re important for specifying zinc roofs and walls correctly, and what architects tend to get wrong. He also explains how VMZINC is helping specifiers navigate current territory where cost-based value engineering is still occurring, even post-Building Safety Act.

In association with RENOLIT, ADF editor James Parker speaks to Steve Hatcher, UK Technical Manager at RENOLIT ALKORPLAN. He explains how the company’s ‘pure white’ ALKORPLAN Bright roofing membrane provides class-leading solar reflectance to help offset cooling requirements as well as bringing other sustainability benefits.

The need to increase the efficiency of water appliances and fixtures in commercial environments is becoming increasingly acute for clients and specifiers tasked with sustainability goals. However it is low on the agenda compared to carbon, and low on regulation, so we brought together a panel of experts from the construction and water sectors to help establish the practical challenges and solutions. This important and challenging discussion, sponsored by Delabie, Cistermister and eco-sistem, showed how water savings could be harnessed to carbon goals to drive better specification in the commercial sector, to combat the lack of incentives and targets.

James Parker, managing editor of Housing Management and Maintenance magazine, presents a special edition of Building Insights focusing on the Building Insights LIVE round table held to discuss the Social Housing (Regulation) Act. Beginning with Awaab’s Law this October, the legislation has been called “the most significant reform of the sector in more than a decade,” and places a new set of requirements on landlords to ensure that social housing is healthy and safe.This crucial issue was the topic of the first Building Insights LIVE round table to be held under the banner of Housing Management and Maintenance magazine. This podcast contains highlights from the discussion, which was guest chaired by Matt Baird, co-chair of Spring Housing Association. The round table included, from the social housing sector, Billy Cliffen of Riverside Housing Association, Stephanie Goad from Golding Homes, and Lee Reevell of Halton Housing in Widnes. From academia was Dr Douglas Booker, Indoor Air specialist at the University of Leeds, and Dr Hector Altamirano-Medina from the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings. We were also joined by Andrew Burke of the National Housing Maintenance Forum, Sarah Garry of the Property Care Association, Amy Bentall from law firm Trowers & Hamlins, Dale Holroyd of ZapCarbon, and Hony Premlal, chair of Women in Social Housing.We are grateful to the sponsors Tarmac, WMS Underfloor Heating, and  Cornerstone Management Services, who also contributed to the discussion.

In association with Kingspan Insulation. James Parker, editor of ADF, is again joined by Rita Singh, head of public affairs at Kingspan Insulation. She explains the complex and rigorous lengths the company goes to in order to show its products are compliant with relevant regulations.

In this Ask the Expert episode of Building Insights, in association with Charlton and Jenrick, managing editor of The Selfbuilder, James Parker, speaks to Peter Mintoft, MD of the fire and stove manufacturer. He explains the options for self-builders looking to create an eye-catching and efficient secondary heat source for their home.

In this special episode of Building Insights, James Parker visits the HQ of Futurebuild in Twickenham, to speak to event director Martin Hurn about the changes and sustained selling points the show has seen over its 20 year history.

James Parker speaks to managing director of SME developer City & Country Wayne Douglas, about the crucial contribution that SME firms like his are making to the delivery of good quality housing in the numbers asked for by Government. However he explains how the smaller end of the sector is being continually squeezed on viability, and why more support is needed now. 

In this audible article, Dulux Heritage's Dawn Scott explains why selecting the right paint colours for each room is more than just a matter of aesthetics. It involves understanding how colours interact with light, influence mood, and establish a sense of continuity.

Highlights from the Building Insights LIVE round table staged in November 2024 at the Building Centre on Water & Energy Saving Innovations in New Build Housing. Sponsored by Hansgrohe, Triton Showers, and waste water heat recovery solutions supplier, Showersave, it featured housebuilders Vistry and Barratt Homes, Thames Water, and the Future Homes Hub, among others.

James Parker, managing editor of Housebuilder and Developer speaks to Hugo Reeve, Development Director & Co-Founder of new housebuilder BRiCS. Focused on placemaking and high quality design, Reeve describes how he managed to launch the firm in the teeth of Covid, with the help of former Crest Nicholson colleagues, to offer a more bespoke solution to buyers in the south east.

James Parker speaks to Neil Walker, Design Manager at Russell Homes, about how the award-winning north west-based housebuilder is prioritising green features over maximising margins.

In this audible article, Greg Blee, founder of Blee Halligan, tells ADF how he found himself working in architecture almost by accident, and why he now focuses on creating projects overseas which blend into their landscapes.

In our third Building Insights episode in association with Saniflo, James Parker speaks to Conor Reeves, UK sales manager.The growth of adaptive reuse projects which convert ex-commercial premises into residential schemes in urban centres has a range of potential benefits. However as Conor explains there are also many inherent challenges including adapting  and adding plumbing for current and future domestic needs.

In association with Saniflo. James Parker speaks to David Cook, managing director of Saniflo about the rising demand for bathrooms which work for elderly users and the rest of the family, to support multi-generational living. He also has some strong views about the need for housebuilders to be driven to focus on whole-life performance.

In this episode, James Parker, editor of ADF, introduces highlights from our recent Building Insights Live round table held in September 2024 at RIBA, focusing on improving the design of dementia care facilities to offer better support to all people living with the condition.The multi-disciplinary debate included expert academics, people with lived experience of dementia and neurodiversity, architects and product manufacturers. It was sponsored by Amtico International, WMS Underfloor Heating, and Johnstone’s Trade Paints. The debate was an important opportunity to share knowledge on the problems and opportunities for practical design solutions, given that the number of people with dementia in the UK is predicted to reach 1 million in 2025.

In association with Saniflo, James Parker speaks to Scott Taylor, area sales manager for Scotland and North East England at Kinedo. He discusses the rising trend for more decorative wall panels in bathrooms and other settings, and how the Kinewall brand is helping specifiers meet the demand.

Christian Hale, MD of housebuilder Hale works in the high-end luxury home sector, but even his end of the market isn’t immune from the perils of value engineering post-tender, in fact it’s getting more common. He explains how clients’ expectations from their homes need managing so that cost cutting isn’t inevitable, and makes a plea to reduce extra costs like urban parking suspensions.

For the third time on the podcast, we are joined by Nick Haughton, Head of ESG at Sapphire Balconies, who are sponsors of this episode. James Parker discusses with Nick the crucial topic of why we need to strive to keep sustainability data as simple as possible, as more and more is unravelled in products’ life-cycles assessments, and Sapphire’s rigorous approach to transparency.

In this special episode of Building Insights, we capture some of the key sessions of a seminar held at RIBA recently to discuss ways to drive specification of timber buildings in the UK, as one of the chief ways to move the country to net zero by 2050. It features highlights of talks by leading lights in timber design; Alex de Rijke of dRMM, Anthony Thistleton of Waugh Thistleton, Jerry Tate of Tate & Co, and Rory Bergin of HTA. Other speakers at the Structural Timber Association-staged event provided key insights on how the Government’s Timber Roadmap is showing the way forward.

In this audible article, Giles Fallan of BuildSafe shares how the right selfbuild insurance can help give you confidence to make your dream home a reality.

In this audible article, James Parker speaks with Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of the Structural Timber Association, to discuss how the construction industry is tackling the obstacles behind the Government’s roadmap for increasing the use of timber. 

In this audible article, Kathryn Firth of Arup reveals a groundbreaking residential development in Lewes, East Sussex. The scheme aims to transform the challenges of climate change and sustainability into opportunities for innovative design and community-focused placemaking, including shared amenities and affordable housing.

In an insightful Audible article, Scott Wolters of EGGER UK offers a concise guide for self-builders navigating the diverse landscape of structural timber flooring options. Wolters breaks down the various choices available, highlighting their unique benefits and applications. This overview serves as a valuable resource, simplifying the decision-making process for self-builders and ensuring they select the most suitable timber flooring solutions for their projects.