About Byzantian

Leading construction industry website Designing Buildings Wiki has appointed George Demetri as the new editor. George comes from a construction industry background that has spanned architectural practice, building products’ marketing/promotion, journalism and technical writing.
His most recent employment was as a technical writer with leading global engineering consultancy WSP, where he authored white papers, articles, company literature and major bids. He co-authored ’Out of Thin Air’, a white paper on alleviating the housing crisis by building apartments over stations and railway lines. The paper has been one of the company’s most successful of recent years.
George has also been a freelance journalist and editor of publications that include World Tunnelling, Trenchless World, Brick Bulletin and Port Technology International. Since 2013, he has been a judge of the annual International Building Press (IBP) National Journalism Awards, co-judging categories that have included infrastructure and construction feature writer.
“It’s a huge honour to have been appointed editor of designingbuildings.co.uk, a truly unique website in the construction sector”, said George. “There really is nothing like it in the industry – with five million users per year spread across the globe, it has become the construction industry’s ‘go to’ knowledge base and I’m honoured to have secured a key role in its development.”
George’s qualifications include degrees in architecture, philosophy, and a post-graduate diploma in building conservation. He was recently admitted to the Institution of Civil Engineers as an associate member (AMICE).
Featured articles and news
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.