News analysis
Comment: Small will always lose out to big
Michael Casey of emerging practice CaseyFierro talks about the disappointment of losing out to the big boys on a huge east London scheme, and why small practices will always struggle to win large-scale projects
What now for Battersea Power Station?
Paul Finch’s letter from London: We need a big idea for Battersea Power Station – time to call in Professor Alsop
‘What’s next for women in architecture?’
We’ll get you started, but the rest is up to you, writes Christine Murray
Chipperfield’s quest for Common Ground at the Biennale is admirable; the British Council’s, perverse
Paul Finch’s letter from London: When Berlusconi thought he had hired Norman Foster…
How to build a successful city
The gap between UK cities is widening – and not along the north-south divide, writes Christine Murray
What Scotland can learn from Canada, plus why the London 2012 gag order must go
Christine Murray on Scottish independence, and the Olympics
Design Council Cabe is alive and kicking – here’s what we’ve been up to
Paul Finch’s letter from London: The first nine months of DCC
Women in Practice: Emerging architects
Penny Lewis profiles the next generation of female architects
‘Every year, more and more women design larger buildings, win competitions, run the RIBA and become new role models’
Women in Practice essay: Barbara Weiss
Why we put Barbie on the cover
Even the AIA hailed Architect Barbie as a role model for aspiring female architects. We can think of more than 60 better, real-life ones
It's time for a serious look at women in practice
Excuse the gender bias, but this is the first time women have taken over the AJ in 116 years, says Christine Murray
What my 40 years in architecture have taught me...
Paul Finch’s letter from London: During my 40 years in architecture, some things have changed utterly, but others are much the same
Planning
Planning portal: PPS7 and design of ‘exceptional quality’
Having our appeal dismissed taught us valuable lessons about PPS7 and design of ‘exceptional quality’, writes Richard Rose-Casemore
MPs demand significant changes to 'unhelpfully vague' NPPF
Ministers have called on the government to redraft its controversial reform of the planning rules and get rid of the ‘unsustainable’ default ‘yes’ to development
Rogers attacks government's proposed planning reform again
Richard Rogers has launched another attack on the government’s overhaul of the planning system, arguing that it could result in ‘cities falling into dereliction’
Best Practice
Best Practice: How big is a house?
Minimum space standards would kill innovative micro-homes, writes Paul McGrath
Best practice: ‘Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it’
How we transformed frustration and a desire to build into real, fee-paying work, by Chris Bryant
Best practice: How to sell yourself
Mary Duggan & Joe Morris on how a sound brand and marketing strategy is key to winning work
The Regs
The Regs: Foundations
Clear guidance on low-rise house extensions is lacking, so know your foundation depths, says Geoff Wilkinson
Geoff Wilkinson’s Regs: Staircases
The design of domestic staircases causes a number of problems – here are just some of them
Legalese
Legalese: Project managers
Project managers can help projects finish on time, but clients shouldn’t pay for the same service twice, says Mark Klimt
Legalese: Payment
New payment legislation will make being an architect easier, writes Peter Stockill
Legalese: The small print
Beware: small words can change the meaning of an entire contract, writes Mark Klimt
