Awaab’s Law: ‘Legislation requires extra clarity, capacity and capability’

By James Beckwith MA, MSc, LLM, PgCAP, FRICS, FAIQS, CQS, FCIArb, FHEA Senior Lecturer, University of the Built Environment  The introduction in October 2025 of Awaab’s Law marks one of…

Training the post-Grenfell generation of building control surveyors

“Since Grenfell and the changes that are going through the industry, I think apprenticeships have been revived." Name: Philip Castagnette Company: Salus Building Control Approvers Philip mentors an apprentice at…

‘Refurbish, refurbish, refurbish’: recruiting apprentices for carbon-reduction projects

“I try to help as many people get onto apprenticeships as possible because I think it's a brilliant way to progress in your career.” Name: Philippa Brown Company: Exigere Philippa…

16 years on, Lakanal House continues to haunt the built environment

While the impact of the Grenfell Tower Fire and subsequent legislation continues to be felt to this day, another fire eight years prior served as an earlier warning sign that…

How lithium-ion batteries and e-scooters pose new safety risks to buildings

The batteries that are powering more and more of our everyday items and belongings pose a significant risk to fire safety. Here's how. Lithium-ion (often referred to as Li-ion) batteries…

A postgraduate degree apprenticeship and a passion for sustainability

“I think a postgraduate apprenticeship is a great way to learn because you've gained experience at undergraduate level and you've been able to learn about a topic that interests you,…

Diagnosing the cladding crisis: the UK residents trapped in unsellable homes

The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Fire continues to impact lives almost eight years on. But why has action been so slow? The last decade has been a time of…

Building safety isn’t just regulation – here are 7 exciting careers to consider

If you think a career in building safety is just about regulation and compliance, think again. Here are several opportunities in this exciting and growing area. The last few years…

What is a Principal Designer?

The role of the Principal Designer has been a hotly-debated topic in the built environment. Here's what it means. 2024 has been a big year for the built environment. With…

A path to disaster – unpacking the fallout of the final Grenfell Inquiry report

On Wednesday 4 September, the final report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry was released, documenting how a series of institutional failures led to the disaster that claimed 72 lives on…

What does the UK general election mean for the built environment?

The 2024 General Election in the UK brings a variety of proposals from major political parties, each with different visions for the country's future. But what do they mean for…

Everything you need to know about the Building Safety Act

What does the enforcement of the Building Safety Act mean for construction professionals, property owners, and the built environment? The Building Safety Act (BSA) was announced in 2022 in response…