Jane Embury looks at construction and the environment The green agenda is just about to get a whole lot greener, whether we like it or not, This month sees the start of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. It will cast a very bright spotlight on human activity and ways […]
steel glazing system
Wind loading and Hurricane Ida
Jane Embury looks at high wind loading. The US city of New Orleans has once again been in the eye of a storm. This time it was Hurricane Ida, bringing 150mph (240km/h) winds. While there was significant damage, the city has new flood defences. Those were constructed after Hurricane Katrina killed 1,800 people in 2005. […]
The inside of the new inside
Jane Embury looks at the future of retail interiors The future of architecture has changed. We need new kinds of sustainable architecture to reflect the changed realities of working from home for longer. But we also need development and refurbishment to bring new life back to our towns and cities. That twin challenge needs new […]
Contain to protect
Jane Embury compares two fires in the past week in London and Milan Last week saw a potentially serious fire in a multi-storey building in London. More than 15 fire crews and some 100 firefighters were deployed to bring it under control. Luckily, nobody was badly hurt. The fire in Battersea was in a building […]
No time to evacuate
Jane Embury looks back twenty years The 20th anniversary of 9/11 takes place in a few weeks. That grim milestone should also still cast an uncomfortable spotlight on the safe evacuation of buildings. Because it’s an issue that should be of concern now. Some contractors are reducing specifications for 60 minutes of integrity and insulation […]
