Question time: material truths

As porcelain surfaces, engineered materials and stone-effect finishes become increasingly convincing alternatives to natural stone, architects face tougher choices around authenticity, performance and sustainability. In our latest edition, three practices reflect on the principles, priorities and pressures influencing material specification today: does truth to materials still sit at the heart of good specification, or have […] The post Question time: material truths appeared first on Architecture Magazine.

Livingway wins £36.4m funding package for three BTR schemes

The loan from Secure Trust Bank will primarily support the refinancing of the build-to-rent operator's ROCO development in Liverpool city centre. The post Livingway wins £36.4m funding package for three BTR schemes appeared first on Property Week.

Manchester’s X1 Media City developer appoints administrators

The company was responsible for delivering X1’s four-tower resi scheme in Salford Quays. Three towers have been completed, with the fourth still under construction. The post Manchester’s X1 Media City developer appoints administrators appeared first on Property Week.

Best Construction Bidding Software for Contractors in 2026

In short: The best construction bidding software for contractors in 2026 depends on whether you need project discovery, bid management, better opportunity visibility, or a connected preconstruction workflow that combines all three. ConstructConnect® pairs one of North America's largest project databases with connected bid coordination, takeoff and estimating, and market analytics tools — the strongest fit for teams that want an end-to-end preconstruction workflow with public and private coverage, particularly strong coverage of opportunities over $500K, earlier visibility into private-project activity, and more customizable analytics. Dodge Construction Network tracks projects across the full lifecycle and is often evaluated by teams focused more on public-project visibility, lower-dollar opportunities, and broader planning support for general trades than on a connected bid workflow. BuildingConnected and Procore Preconstruction are primarily invitation-driven platforms, while PlanHub's free subcontractor plan centers on receiving ITBs from GCs or platform-generated matches, with more proactive search available through Lead Finder on select paid plans. The right choice comes down to one question: do you want to find projects proactively, manage the bids that already come to you, or do both in a connected workflow?

Foster + Partners court case begins over 2018 tower window death

The Architects’ Journal Foster + Partners court case begins over 2018 tower window death A criminal case has got underway against Foster + Partners and three other firms over the death of a man hit by a window falling from a building The post Foster + Partners court case begins over 2018 tower window death appeared first on The Architects’ Journal Gino Spocchia

Understanding BIM LOD, Levels, and LOI

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry has witnessed a profound evolution, marked by the widespread integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM). This innovative approach transcends traditional design methodologies, offering a comprehensive solution that amalgamates visual representation, data integration, and collaborative capabilities. Central to the BIM framework are three pivotal concepts: BIM Level of Development (LOD), BIM Levels, and BIM Level of Information.

What are the top three ways BIM services directly reduce project costs, and which method usually provides the quickest financial return?