As cities around the world grapple with the twin pressures of population growth and environmental decline, architects and planners are turning to a novel solution: vertical forests. Integrating thousands of trees, shrubs and plants into their facades, these high-rise buildings bring the promise of cleaner air, cooler cities and a stronger connection with nature.
But while projects like Milan’s Bosco Verticale and Singapore’s Oasia Hotel Downtown dazzle with their leafy exteriors, some experts have questioned whether the benefits live up to the hype or if they’re simply architectural ‘greenwashing.’ Read on to learn more.
In today’s digital age, where there’s a constant influx of notifications, emails and social media updates, maintaining focus at work has become increasingly challenging.
Studies have shown that, for screen-focused work, our average attention span dropped from two-and-a-half minutes in 2004 to just 47 seconds in 2021. This decline in focus not only affects our productivity but also impacts our overall job performance and satisfaction. Keep reading for some tips on how to reclaim your attention and enhance work efficiency.
The UK government has unveiled a major initiative to address the construction industry’s skills shortage, launching a new Construction Skills Mission Board alongside a £600m investment in training. This ambitious plan aims to bring up to 60,000 new workers into the sector.
So, how will this funding be allocated and what does it mean for the future of construction? Read on to find out more.
Construction work can be tough on the skin. From contact with hazardous substances to prolonged sun exposure, workers face daily risks that can lead to serious skin conditions, including dermatitis, chemical burns and even skin cancer.
Protecting your skin isn’t just about comfort – it’s essential for long-term health and safety. Find out more about the dangers and what you can do to reduce the health risks in our latest Focus on Safety blog.
The UK needs 370,000 new homes per year to meet government targets, but with planning approvals at their lowest in a decade, the industry is struggling to keep up.
The latest Housing Pipeline Report from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) highlights the scale of the challenge, showing a worrying decline in planning permissions that threatens future housing supply. Read on to find out more about what’s causing this slowdown and what needs to change.
As we approach International Women’s Day 2025, the call to ‘Accelerate Action’ for gender equality has never been more urgent. It’s a time to take decisive steps toward creating more inclusive and equal opportunities, particularly in industries that have long been dominated by men.
The construction sector, in particular, is one where gender equality could actually be crucial for future growth and success. One significant initiative making strides in this area is the Women into Home Building programme. Take a look at this week’s blog to learn more.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves across all sorts of industries and construction is no exception. While much of the attention has been on AI’s role in design, project management and efficiency, its potential to revolutionise site safety might just be the most exciting development yet.
For years, construction has been one of the most hazardous industries, with risks ranging from falls and equipment-related accidents to structural failures, but could we be at a turning point where AI-driven protocols and analytics help to predict and prevent such dangers? Keep reading to find out more.
The construction industry is responsible for a sizeable portion of global carbon emissions, largely due to the production of cement. But what if the very process of building could help capture carbon instead of releasing it? Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed an innovative 3D concrete printing method that seems to do just that.
By capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) within concrete during the printing process, this new method offers a promising step towards more sustainable construction. How does it work? Read this week’s blog to learn more.
Falling objects pose a significant threat to worker safety on UK construction sites. These incidents can result in serious injuries and even fatalities, making it absolutely for everyone on site to understand what can cause an object to fall and how to implement effective prevention strategies.
For this week’s blog, we’re returning to our ‘Focus on Safety’ series and looking into this critical issue in more detail.
The UK government has announced bold reforms to streamline housing development, focusing on unlocking untapped land near commuter train stations. The initiative, spearheaded by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, aims to boost economic growth while addressing the ongoing housing crisis.
This strategy is part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, set to launch this spring, and is designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, create jobs and provide affordable homes in central locations. Keep reading to find out more about the proposals and their potential impact.