What are Natural Materials? Natural materials are sourced directly from nature. They are produced by plants, animals or geological processes and require little to no artificial processing. Some of them can be used as building materials in their raw or minimally...

Introduction ‘Less is More’ is a well-known architectural phrase popularised by German American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969). Although commonly associated with Mies, this phrase actually has its roots in poetry. It was first used in 1855 by English...

What is an Architecture Case Study? An architecture case study is a detailed analysis of a particular architectural project, design concept, or process. The goal is to examine and understand how a specific project was conceived, developed, and executed. This involves...

Introduction ‘Ornament and Crime’ is a famous architectural manifesto by Austrian architect Adolf Loos (1870-1933). The phrase was initially the title of a lecture he gave in 1910 at the Akademischer Verband für Literatur und Musik (Academic Association for Literature...

Introduction   Updated July 2024 The average dimensions of the human body are essential in architectural design as they help to ensure comfort and enhance the user experience. These physical measurements, known as anthropometric data, are used by architects and...

Introduction   This post is all about the best websites for architecture inspiration. With so many architectural inspiration websites online, we know how difficult and time-consuming it can be to find the best ones. This is why we put together a list of the best...

Introduction Kitchens have evolved greatly in the last hundred years. Larger houses would have had a kitchen in the basement with staff to cook, whilst more modest properties would have a room on the ground floor cut off from the dining or living room. Currently,...

Introduction   Space planning is a complex process with many factors to consider. The principles of space planning involve satisfying a defined criteria on a priority basis – as a result, space planning is frequently about compromise. That being said, there is...

Introduction ‘Form follows Function’ is a popular architectural principle that was first introduced in 1896 by American architect Louis H. Sullivan (1856–1924) in his essay ‘The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered’. It was actually shortened from the original...

Introduction to Permitted Development Rights When extending a house in the UK, understanding Permitted Development rights is essential. These rights allow certain building works and changes to be carried out without the need for a full planning application,...

In architecture, the term "parti" refers to the central idea or concept of a building design. It's essentially the starting point or organising thought that guides the design process. The parti can be a specific shape, a structural system, a key relationship in the...

Do you need planning permission for an extension? Planning permission is a necessary legal requirement for a range of construction projects in the UK, including house extensions. Planning permission is required to ensure that the proposed development is appropriate...