Welcome to NBS |

Design & specification

Recommended link:

Art & Architecture
Art & Architecture is a practitioner led-alliance promoting interaction between artist and architects. The A&A website features the International Practitioners' Network, putting potential commissioners in direct contact with practitioners.

Here are some selected links you might like to try.

Please note: sites open in a new window.

Accessible Property Register
Accessible and adapted property in the UK and worldwide is listed for sale or rent. Owners, estate agents, local authorities, housing associations and developers may advertise on the register, while users can search for property details and receive email alerts about homes that meet specific accessibility requirements. A register of APR Approved Partners - agencies who understand access issues and who will market accessible or adapted property positively - is also available.
http://www.accessible-property.org.uk/

Adaptive Environments
Adaptive Environments is a US organisation that promotes accessibility as well as universal design through education programmes, technical assistance, training, consulting, publications and design advocacy.
http://www.adaptenv.org/

Aga Khan Award for Architecture
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture identifies, honours, and disseminates information on contemporary work that contributes significantly to the quality of built spaces in Muslim communities, including in the West.
http://www.akdn.org/agency/aktc_akaa.html

AGRAM Database
The work of some historically important architects is presented on this site with photos, drawings, and models. The architects currently covered are: Le Corbusier, Jujol, Loos, Duiker, Schinkel, Wright and Melnikov.
http://agram.saariste.nl/

American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI)
The American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) is a non-profit international professional organisation of architectural illustrators.
http://www.asai.org/

Archinect
The goal of Archinect is to make architecture more connected and open-minded, and bring together designers from around the world to introduce new ideas from all disciplines.
http://archinect.com/index.php

Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC)
The AABC publishes a searchable Register of architects accredited for their knowledge and experience in the care and conservation of historic or listed buildings.
http://www.aabc-register.co.uk/

Architects for Health
Architects for Health aims to achieve excellence and appropriateness in the provision of health-care facilities and the built environment in the interests of both the public at large and members of the Society.
http://www.architectsforhealth.com/

Architecture Centre Network (ACN)
ACN is an independent organisation representing centres of architecture and the built environment in the UK. Includes a directory of architecture centres, news, events, resources, links, and a forum.
http://www.architecturecentre.net/

Architecture Foundation
Previews of their programme of exhibitions and events which promote contemporary architecture and issues of the urban environment.
http://www.architecturefoundation.org.uk/

architecture.com
250,000 pages of useful information about architecture, architects, and the Royal Institute of British Architects, including free access to the RIBA library catalogue.
http://www.architecture.com/go/Architecture/Home.html

ArchitectureRoom
Architectural competitions in the UK, Ireland and abroad.
http://www.thearchitectureroom.com/

Art & Architecture
Art & Architecture is a practitioner led-alliance promoting interaction between artist and architects. The A&A website features the International Practitioners' Network, putting potential commissioners in direct contact with practitioners.
http://www.artandarchitecture.co.uk/

Association of Preservation Trusts (APT)
The Association of Preservation Trusts is the membership organisation for building preservation trusts (BPTs). Includes information on BPTs.
http://www.heritage.co.uk

Axistive Assistive Technology News
Axistive Assistive Technology News Portal offers free news, articles, product reviews and all product and vendor information of assistive technology devices, including ones for the built environment.
http://www.axistive.com/

Basement Information Centre
The national centre for information about the development and use of basements in new or existing dwellings. Includes several Virtual Basement tours.
http://www.basements.org.uk/

BCIS House Rebuilding Cost Calculator
A house building cost calculator aimed at those wishing to check their own rebuilding cost figure for insurance purposes, giving a general indication of rebuilding costs for five different house types of average quality, built using standard construction methods, within the UK.
http://calculator.bcis.co.uk/

Better Public Buildings
A UK government-sponsored award to encourage and celebrate excellence in design for publicly commissioned and funded building projects.
http://www.betterpublicbuildings.gov.uk/

BREEAM
BREEAM is BRE's environmental assessment method, used to assess the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings. It is regarded by the UK's construction and property sectors as the measure of best practice in environmental design and management.
http://www.breeam.org/

British Construction Industry Awards
The Awards are made annually to recognise all-round excellence in the design, construction and delivery of buildings and civil engineering projects.
http://www.bciawards.org.uk/home/index.asp

Building Conservation
UK site on building conservation information, including articles by leading authorities, contact details for companies, organisations, products and materials, details of courses, etc.
http://www.buildingconservation.com/

Building Energy Software Tools Directory
Described here are hundreds of energy-related software tools for buildings, with an emphasis on using renewable energy and achieving energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/

Building for Life
Building for Life is a commitment to the quality of new homes made by the house-building industry, represented by the House Builders Federation, the UK government, represented by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), and the campaigners, represented by the Civic Trust.
http://www.buildingforlife.org/

Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland
The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland is maintained by the Scottish Civic Trust on behalf of Historic Scotland, and provides information on properties of architectural or historic merit throughout Scotland that are considered to be at risk. The site can be searched or browsed by administrative area.
http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/BAR/

CEEQUAL
CEEQUAL is an awards scheme assessing the environmental quality of civil engineering projects, and is being promoted by ICE, BRE, CIRIA and a group of committed industry organisations. Its objective is to encourage the attainment of environmental excellence in civil engineering projects, and thus to deliver improved environmental performance in project specification, design and construction.
http://www.ceequal.com/

Center for Universal Design
The Center for Universal Design is a US research, information and technical assistance centre that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products.
http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/

Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE)
The Centre for Accessible Environments is the information and training body on the accessibility of the built environment for disabled people. Includes information on the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
http://www.cae.org.uk/

Centre for Healthcare Architecture and Design (CHAD)
CHAD is an NHS site dedicated to improving the design of the built environment within the health service.
http://195.92.246.148/nhsestates/chad/chad_content/home/home.asp

CIRIA
CIRIA’s mission is to improve the performance of all concerned with construction and the environment by creating, sharing, and supporting the application of information and knowledge.
http://www.ciria.org.uk/

Code of Practice on Access and Mobility
Accesscode provides a Code of Practice on Access and Mobility that covers all aspects of the environment we live in. The advisory document reflects best practice and current statutory requirements for the design of buildings, structures, highways and transportation.
http://www.accesscode.info/

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment exists to promote high quality design and architecture and to raise the standard of the built environment generally. The site includes a library of projects, news and links.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/

Community Self-Build Agency
The Agency's aim is to create more opportunities for people to acquire the knowledge, and skills to build their own homes and in particular to use our efforts to help those in housing need who are unemployed, young, low income or in housing need. Includes FAQs on community self-build, and information on recent projects.
http://www.communityselfbuildagency.org.uk/

Competitions
Online version of Competitions magazine; requires subscription to obtain information on international architectural competitions.
http://competitions.org/

Concrete Change
A US site that provides detailed construction guidelines and cost estimates for barrier free design in new homes, and suggests ways to encourage wheelchair-accessable construction in all homes.
http://www.concretechange.org/

Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment
Constructing Excellence aims to improve construction productivity through the process, product and cultural changes that are needed to drive major improvements in the sector. The site includes a lot of information on the Constructing Excellence programme and on best practice.
http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/

Cornucopia Of Disability Information (CODI)
CODI is a US site that serves as a community resource for consumers and professionals by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas. It consists of both an Internet Directory of Disability Information and a repository of electronic disability documents, dating back to the early 1990s. Most of the official and regulatory information it includes is American, but other information is more generally applicable.
http://codi.buffalo.edu/

Department for Transport: Access for Disabled People
Based on information gathered from research and from specialist advisors, the Department aims to improve transport provision for disabled people - whether as pedestrians, public and special transport users, or motorists - while also improving accessibility in public places.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/

Department of Health Estates and Facilities Management
DH Estates and Facilities produces guidance for NHS organisations and individuals with an interest in land, property, equipment and facilities. This information can be used to support the effective management and utilisation of property and equipment and procurement of new buildings.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Estatesandfacilitiesmanagement/index.htm

Design for Homes
Design for Homes is a showcase for excellence in residential architecture, construction and planning, with housing news, events, case studies etc. The site is divided into three sections, one for all visitors, one for registered users and one for UK registered architects.
http://www.designforhomes.org/

Designing Libraries
Designing Libraries is database of descriptions and images of recent UK public library building projects, giving local authorities, planners, architects and interior designers as well as library specialists an insight into the best new, extended and refurbished public library buildings granted funds from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
http://www.designinglibraries.org.uk/

Disabled Living Centres Council (DLCC)
The DLCC aims to improve disabled and older people's access to accurate, reliable and impartial information and advice about products and equipment for easier living.
http://assist-uk.org/

Disabled Living Foundation
The Disabled Living Foundation is a national charity working for greater independence for disabled people by providing advice and information on equipment.
http://www.dlf.org.uk/

DPTAC Access Directory
The Access Directory is a searchable database of references to accessibility guidance for the built environment.
http://www.dptac.gov.uk/adnotes.htm

Earth Building Foundation
Promotes the use of earth building and provides technical information on earthen building (adobe and rammed earth) construction methods.
http://www.earthbuilding.com/

Earth Sheltered Design
Earth-sheltered design employs the earth as a major component of a building's thermal control system. This site provides a lot of information on how to go about doing this.
http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/EarthSheltered.html

eFunda
Short for Engineering Fundamentals, it provides a variety of information to aid in the solution of complex design problems. An extremely useful engineering reference source.
http://www.efunda.com/home.cfm

Engineers Edge
Design and engineering resources, featuring a variety of online calculators, definitions, etc.
http://www.engineersedge.com/

European Heritage Network
The European Heritage Network (HEREIN) is a permanent information system of the Council of Europe linking European governmental departments responsible for cultural heritage conservation. It helps in implementing and monitoring the European conventions on the architectural and archaeological heritage.
http://www.european-heritage.net/

Fire on the Web
Fire on the Web is a collection of resources from the US government's Building and Fire Research Laboratory's Fire Research Division at NIST. These web pages provide links to fire related software, experimental fire data and mpeg/quick time movies of fire tests that can be downloaded and/or viewed with a web browser.
http://fire.nist.gov/

Greenroofs.com
A resource portal for green roofs. Most of the content is meant for a US audience, but it includes international research links and project details, and the 'Greenroofs 101' section includes information specifically for Europe.
http://www.greenroofs.com/

Habinteg Housing Association
Habinteg is one of the leading housing associations in England providing accessible housing for all. It also promotes the principles of universal design and the provision of homes for all.
http://www.habinteg.org.uk/

Highrise and Multiples Innovation Group
The Group examines and promotes research into issues surrounding highrise construction, operation, maintenance and repair, with case studies and technical data.
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/

Historic Buildings Fire Research Database (FReD)
This database has been set up to enable all those responsible in any capacity for historic buildings to share information on fire safety matters. It is not designed to contain research technical reports, but does allow you to identify contact points for current as well as completed projects to enable you to liaise with others involved in your area of interest.
http://fred.english-heritage.org.uk/

Historic Environment Local Management (HELM)
The HELM website is a fully accessible one-stop-shop for historic environment guidance and information. It contains the latest English Heritage publications, information on training events, useful web links and news. There are searchable databases of good practice case studies and of local authority historic environment publications.
http://www.helm.org.uk/

Hockerton Housing Project
Details of the UK’s first earth sheltered, self-sufficient ecological housing development. The houses are amongst the most energy efficient, purpose built dwellings in Europe.
http://www.hockerton.demon.co.uk/

Home Wheelchair Ramp Project
A manual of design and construction for modular wheelchair ramps, including information about ramps and long-tread low-riser steps to improve safe home accessibility.
http://www.wheelchairramp.org/

Housing Design Awards
Awards are made at two stages: for projects of high quality where the scheme has detailed planning permission, but is not yet finished and occupied, and for completed schemes of outstanding merit.
http://www.designforhomes.org/hda/

ICA Commission on Maps and Graphics for Blind and Visually Impaired People (INTACT)
INTACT provides details of recent and current research on all aspects of the design, construction and use of tactile maps and other tactile graphics.
http://www.ica-tactile.ucalgary.ca/

IDEA Center
IDEA Center is dedicated to improving the design of environments and products by making them more usable, safer and appealing to people with a wide range of abilities, throughout their life spans. Includes a lot of free publications on universal design.
http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea/

Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is the professional institute which represents conservation professionals in the public and private sectors in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
http://www.ihbc.org.uk/

International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU)
INTBAU is a world wide organisation dedicated to the support of traditional building, the maintenance of local character and the creation of better places to live. Includes information on INTBAU projects, news, essays and reviews, and email groups.
http://www.intbau.org/

Is There An Accessible Loo? (ITAAL)
Though ITAAL no longer exists, the key information it provided has been collected by the Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE). The site covers invaluable information such as how people use accessible WCs, typical user concerns, what users need and design guidance.
http://www.cae.org.uk/itaal.html

JMU Access Partnership
JMU Access Partnership is a collaborative venture between RNIB and Guide Dogs for the Blind Association that provides a pan-disability service working to create inclusive environments. As one of the UK's leading access consultancies, they work to make the built environment more accessible for disabled people.
http://www.jmuaccess.org.uk/

Livingroofs.org
Livingroofs.org is an independent UK website which specifically promotes green roofs – roofs that are intentionally vegetated – and provide advice for their installation. Includes an introduction to green roofs and walls, guidelines, and links to further information, policy and research.
http://www.livingroofs.org/

Masonry Conservation Research Group
Gives lists of publications and useful links, and specifies the areas currently being researched by the Group.
http://www2.rgu.ac.uk/schools/mcrg/mcrghome.htm

Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland
MACS is a committee which has been set up to advise Scottish Ministers how best they should take account of the interests of disabled people in the formulation of transport policies.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Transport/macs

National Centre for Tactile Diagrams
The Centre provides tactile diagrams, maps and pictures for blind and partially sighted people, conducts research, and offers training and consultancy.
http://www.nctd.org.uk/

National Register of Access Consultants
NRAC provides a quality standard for access consultants. It enables clients to locate suitable consultants for their access needs.
http://www.nrac.org.uk/

Open Architecture Network
The site aims to improve living standards through collaborative design. Designers can share ideas and plans and collaborate with each other, to build a more sustainable future.
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/

President's Medals
The President’s Medals are awarded annually for work prepared on RIBA recognised courses in the current academic year. The site showcases all the submitted entries.
http://www.presidentsmedals.com/

Pritzker Architecture Prize
Provides current information about the world's most prestigious architecture award and its Laureates.
http://www.pritzkerprize.com/full_new_site/

Public Architecture
Provided by the Society of Chief Architects of Local Authorities, the site is a one-stop resource for research into public architecture, including sections on projects, practices, events and recruitment.
http://www.publicarchitecture.co.uk/

Research Group for Inclusive Environments
RGIE manages research contracts related to accessibility within environments and acts as a focal point for disseminating information, developing collaborative projects and attracting further research.
http://www.rdg.ac.uk/ie/

RIBA Competitions Office
Gives details of current RIBA approved competitions.
http://www.architecture.com/UseAnArchitect/FindAnArchitect/Competitions/Competitions.aspx

RIBA Enterprises Ltd
RIBA Enterprises Ltd is the commercial arm of The Royal Institute of British Architects. The site acts as a gateway to the company's divisions and their products.
http://www.riba-enterprises.com/

Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)
SPAB is the largest, oldest and most technically expert national pressure group fighting to save old buildings from decay, demolition and damage. Includes technical advice and articles.
http://www.spab.org.uk/

Steel in Fire Forum (StiFF)
StiFF is a discussion group for researchers, specialists and design professionals interested in the behaviour of steel and composite framed structures under the influence of fire, and in the development of rational structural fire engineering design methods.
http://fire-research.group.shef.ac.uk/steelinfire/

TechDis Accessibility Database
The TechDis Accessibility Database provides an on-line resource of information about products which are available to assist those with disabilities. The resource is designed to provide information on assistive, adaptive and enabling technologies to the UK Higher and Further education sectors.
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/

UK Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
The new website of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, which advises the UK Government on access for disabled people to transport and the built environment. The site includes a Knowledge Map - a tool to search a database of references of accessibility guidance for the built environment.
http://www.dptac.gov.uk/

Universal Design Network
The Universal Design Network is a US-based loose coalition of people committed to universal design education.
http://www.universaldesign.net/

Urban Conservation Glossary
An extensive dictionary of architectural terms used in building conservation work. Includes some photos and illustrations.
http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/research/glossary/glossary.html

Usable Buildings
The site aims to improve buildings through better understanding of their performance in use by advocating more care with their design, construction and management. Includes downloadable PDF documents, opinions, links and quotable quotes.
http://www.usablebuildings.co.uk/

Walter Segal Self Build Trust
The WSSBT is a UK trust which helps people to build their own homes and community buildings. They provide advice, information, training, support and a range of other services for the self-builder.
http://www.segalselfbuild.co.uk/

Whole Building Design Guide
The WBDG is a web-based portal providing US government and industry practitioners with access to up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria and technology from a 'whole buildings' perspective. Includes summaries on particular topics and design guidance for a wide range of building types.
http://www.wbdg.org/

Whole Building Design Guide
An American site advocating an integrated design approach to building projects during the planning and programming phases. The entire Guide is available online.
http://www.wbdg.org/

Workplace Design Compatibility for Today's Aging Worker
Journal of Industrial Teacher Education paper describing a study of how current office design affects older workers.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JITE/v36n3/kupritz.html

 

BackToTop