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
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.