Time is up
Pens down please - time is up.
Thanks so much to everyone who entered The Chartered Institute of Building article competition.
Wow – what an amazing variety of entries we've had. Everything from using spiders to get rid of woodworm, to conical roof slating, to plastic bridges. We will spend the next few weeks reading through them all to produce a shortlist of 5 from which one overall winner will be selected (it's a bit like MasterChef). We will announce the winners and commended articles in the second week of June.
But now you have the hang of it, and realise it really isn’t difficult, why not keep on writing?
You can help improve the industry by sharing your knowledge and you can also raise your own profile. Around 10% of our articles top Google search results, so write an article for Designing Buildings Wiki and the chances are, when people Google your subject, they will find you.
Try Googling the articles written by our previous competition winners “Geothermal Pile Foundations” and “The History of the Architectural Profession” - you should find they come top.
Featured articles
The green belt:
Sensible protection for the countryside, or a barrier to growth that preserves industrial agriculture whilst exacerbating flooding? Read more
"It was clear that dealing with the building industry was just as tricky as dealing with the KGB." Read more
Architect’s fees:
This one inevitably continues to attract controversy, particularly in relation to the 2012 BD survey that suggested “…55% are paid fee levels of 4% or less...” Surely 8-12% is a more normal and sustainable level? Take a few deep breaths, have a look and comment or edit. Read more
The design timeframe for smart cities:
80 weeks or 80 years? "Develop a roadmap that focuses on short, medium and long-term strategies." Read more
Featured articles and news
BSRIA Statutory Compliance Inspection Checklist
BG80/2025 now significantly updated to include requirements related to important changes in legislation.
Shortlist for the 2025 Roofscape Design Awards
Talent and innovation showcase announcement from the trussed rafter industry.
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese aswell as English.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.