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
Cladding remediation programmes, transparency and target date.
National Audit Office issue report on cladding remediation.
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.