A guide to retrofitting (and how it could help us reach net zero)

Retrofitting could be the answer to how the built environment addresses its role in the climate crisis whilst satisfying demand for new buildings and houses. The UK has a problem…

Are heat pumps just hot air?

Amid fierce debate in the UK, are heat pumps really the future of sustainable energy, heating and retrofitting in the built environment? If we are to achieve the 2050 net…

Are mixed-use developments the future of construction?

Mixed-use environments could provide the solution to several of the biggest challenges facing the built environment. Here’s how. For several years, the UK has been in the middle of what…

Be Part of the Change podcast episode 3 – mental health in the built environment

The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change. ‘Be Part of…

What is BIM (and how does it work)?

Here’s why building information modelling (BIM) is at the centre of digital transformation across architecture, construction and the wider built environment. Construction projects are far from simple. From the design and…

Making waves as a female Building Surveyor: a Q&A with UCEM Alumni Annabel Huffer

We met with UCEM alumni Annabel Huffer to discuss her experiences as a female building surveyor and why she advocates so strongly for apprenticeships. Despite making up around half the…

Your guide to the golden thread: the cornerstone of building information

The golden thread is a hot topic in the construction industry as the Building Safety Act comes into effect. Here’s why. To most people, a building is purely a physical…

16 sustainable and cost-effective building materials

These 16 innovative and eco-friendly materials can help the construction industry address its role in the climate crisis. The built environment is one of the single most pollutive sectors in…

Could flexible working be the key to greater diversity in construction?

Flexible working could be the silver bullet that construction companies need to improve diversity and representation in the sector. Here's how. Flexible working has been steadily growing in popularity over…

A guide to 15-minute cities: why are they so controversial?

Why has the 15-minute city concept become the centre of heated debate, controversy and conspiracy theories? According to research by TUC, the average person spends 59 minutes travelling to and…

What is adaptive reuse (and why is it important)?

Adaptive reuse has emerged as a sustainable alternative to demolition for the built environment. Here’s how it works. The Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site that was inhabited from 9500…

My understanding of sustainability has completely changed: a student profile with David Harris

“Sustainability is the biggest challenge our industry, our generation, probably the world has ever faced.” David Harris is no stranger to managing study on top of his work. He graduated…