When it comes to living spaces, ‘bigger’ has long been synonymous with ‘better’. But times are changing. In Paris and London, micro-li­ving is gaining momentum due to ever-increasing housing prices. Outside of the city, people choose to live in smaller spaces as well, with the tiny house movement swiftly growing in popularity. Here, living small isn’t driven by necessity, but by a desire to declutter and live in a simpler, more minimal and ecologically friendly way. But how can you fit life into a restricted space and still create a sense of personality and expanse?

Plumber’s Knees: it’s the underlying health issue known by plumbers nationwide – but may still come as quite a shock to those not in the trade.

It’s the news that was recently revealed in an article, published by The IPG last year , that found a staggering 75% of working plumbers will experience problems with their knees as a result of the hard graft and constant kneeling associated with the profession. And perhaps even more worryingly, it was also found that a mere 41% of those asked had taken action, and actually discussed their ailment with their GP.

Taking place on the 05 March in London, the Offsite Awards 2019 celebrate the crème-de-la-crème of offsite technology.

This year, the awards received over 200 entries from companies who are at the forefront of the industry in terms of innovation and expertise. Offsite technology is changing the contemporary built environment – driving forward projects that represent outstanding examples of prefabrication and factory-based methods, products, systems and disciplines.

To meet the global demand for sustainable building material that also provides enhanced performance, SSAB has introduced GreenCoat Crown BT for durability and high colour retention in roofs and wall claddings. Featuring a coating made with sustainable Swedish rapeseed oil, this new product is part of the GreenCoat® premium steel product range, which is currently the greenest collection of colour coated steel products for the building industry.

By Matthew Currington, Technical Director, The Lighting Superstore

It’s official. Staying in is the new going out. That’s at least where Valentine’s Day is concerned with 63 per cent of people preferring to stay at home, rather than head out to celebrate.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, The Lighting Superstore thought there was no better time to share its top tips for creating the perfect romantic ambience in the comfort of your own home…

The winners of the 2019 Surface Design Awards have been announced, hailing the best and most impressive use of materials in, and on, architectural projects from around the globe.

The beautiful new Maggie’s Centre Barts, London has been declared the Supreme Winner, capturing the judge’s hearts and minds. A beacon of design in the charity sector, the building by Steven Holl Architects’ was shortlisted in the Public Building Exterior category, gaining acclaim from the judges, including Christophe Egret, who stated “You really feel that a person dealing with cancer might feel elevated in this space”.

Legrand UK & Ireland has unveiled MyHOME_Up – the latest generation of its simple-to-use home automation system – which now benefits from app connectivity; making it even easier for housebuilders to integrate smart home technology into new-build developments.

MyHOME_Up drastically simplifies home automation for developers. Using Legrand’s connected devices programme, Eliot, MyHOME_Up integrates all essential services for a modern home – such as lighting, temperature control, shading, audio and door entry – into one system. MyHOME_Up can be installed after just one day’s training, and can be wired in a similar timeframe to a traditional domestic wiring layout.

A new publication focussing on collaboration in the design of innovative timber buildings is to be launched at Futurebuild this March.

‘Timber Design Pioneers’ is published by TRADA (Timber Research and Development Association) and supported by the timber industry’s campaign, Wood for Good. The launch will take place on Wood for Good’s stand at G50 on 6 March at 4.15pm and is a one-off opportunity to get a copy of the publication in print, while stocks last.

Leading British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture, Daval, explore this year’s must-have trends for the home and give us valuable insight on the next big thing for 2019 kitchen design.

Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director, Daval, says “Added value features which enhance the interior capabilities of kitchen furniture are going to be a game-changer in 2019, catering for larger families or open plan kitchens which are privy to the living and dining areas.”

Sian Astley, a property expert for the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show (28-31 March, NEC, Birmingham) who’s currently project managing 16 home renovations for BBC2’s ‘Your Home Make Perfect’, says:

– Start early. Often renovators begin well, packing neat tidy boxes according to rooms and then they run out of time and it all becomes a bit haphazard with things flung into cardboard boxes randomly – think bread mixer with bras, TV control with towels. Start packing away items weeks in advance and get plenty of decent boxes to hand. 

From 5-7 February Surface Design Show 2019 will take place at London’s Business Design Centre to provide a platform for architects, designers and specifiers to explore the best in interior and exterior surface materials, lighting design, development and innovation.

Surface Design Show is the only event in the UK that focuses solely on interior and exterior surfaces.

Including Upcycling, Green Finger Campaign & Under The Stairs

From the 4th – 12th May 2019, London ExCeL will play host to Grand Designs Live; bringing the height of home and design innovation to London for the 14th year running.

Proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, the show will boast a range of new exhibitors and features, as well as all the usual favourites, with design guru and TV broadcaster, Kevin McCloud leading the event.  Whether you are starting out on your first renovation, building a new home, redecorating a room, installing a new kitchen or simply looking for ideas, Grand Designs Live is the must-visit event for anyone wanting to learn about the world of interiors, design and self-build.