What on earth are sponge cities?

The concept of ‘sponginess’ has emerged in the urban planning discourse in recent years, but what does it actually mean? As the 2050 target of achieving net zero approaches, the…

What is embodied carbon (and what can we do about it)?

Reducing the amount of embodied carbon created in the construction process is one of the biggest challenges facing the built environment. The built environment has a pivotal role to play…

To retrofit or not to retrofit: what’s going on with Marks & Spencer’s Oxford Street store?

Marks and Spencer have been embroiled in a dispute with the government that has raised questions around sustainability and the built environment. Here’s what’s happened. On Oxford Street in London,…

10 heat pump myths, debunked

Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions about heat pumps that have held back its adoption in the UK. Heat pumps are widely considered to be one…

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…