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…

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…

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…

What is lean construction (and why should you adopt it)?

When applied to the construction industry, the lean methodology can help businesses reduce waste while maximising cost and resource efficiency. The construction industry is facing a conundrum. As a consumer…

What women do matters: a Q&A with UCEM Student Candace O’Brian

We spoke to Candace O’Brian, a Jamaican real estate professional and UCEM student, to get an international perspective on what it’s like to be a woman in the built environment.…

Green infrastructure, defined: how could it help us solve the climate crisis?

Could incorporating green spaces into natural environments help planners balance sustainability and continued development of infrastructure? As the global population continues to grow, so does the housing crisis. This need…

3D printing in construction: is it worth the hype?

Many predict 3D printing could help revolutionise the way we approach construction in the built environment, but how much truth is there to this claim? With nations around the world…

Human-centred design 101: here’s what it means for architectural design

Applying human-centric design principles to our buildings and structures can have a wide range of benefits for both their occupants and the environment. Society and the built environment are intrinsically…

All buildings great and small: the spectacular rise of tiny homes

What are tiny homes, and why is this radical approach to homeowning starting to pick up momentum and popularity in the UK? The UK is currently experiencing a housing crisis,…

How the built environment can bridge the green skills gap

Here are 8 ways governments, organisations and individuals can work together to close the skills gap. Making net zero a reality by 2050 will require an enormous effort from businesses,…

Diagnosing the green skills gap: 5 factors fuelling the shortage

The green skills gap is holding back the built environment’s sustainability efforts. Here’s where it’s come from, and why we need to solve it. The built environment is about to…