#cladding

#cladding

David Jones, president of the Institute of Construction Management, says the guidance for multi-storey residential buildings is "loose", "spineless" and "open to interpretation". He argues it permits too many "tolerable" risks - for example, allowing flammable materials in window systems and between floors to remain even if they could let fire spread. "It's allowing developers to game the system," the veteran of more than 50 years says, adding that making it law would be an "absolute abomination".

For architects and specifiers, selecting the right cladding system is both a technical and creative act, connecting material science with architectural intent. More than simple visual envelopes, façades today are high-performance systems that balance protection, insulation, and expression. As the first barrier between exterior and interior, the right cladding system can define how a building behaves and ages over time, affecting its thermal comfort, acoustic performance, fire safety, and overall durability.

Family handout Nick Burton was rescued from the 19th floor of Grenfell Tower with his wife of 30 years, Pily. Soon after she suffered a stroke and when she died became the 72nd victim of the fire. He says it was important for him to go to Arconic's Pittsburgh headquarters. "For all these years they're going about their business making record profits," he says. "We wanted to give them a wake-up call and show them we are still here."