Concrete is one of the most ubiquitous artificial materials in construction. It forms the foundation for architectural projects around the world, so much so that it prompted the ‘concrete jungle’ moniker given to cities that feature heavy use of the material.

But the vast application of concrete masks the serious environmental damage it can cause, and with demand for eco-friendly materials on the rise, companies are searching for ways to make concrete more sustainable. In this issue of Design & Build Review, we take a deep dive into the world of concrete and the ongoing efforts to find an eco-friendly alternative.

On the subject of concrete, we investigate why a perfect storm of HS2 construction, Brexit and Covid-19 has caused the material – along with a number of other key construction materials – to vanish from consumer shelves around the UK.

Plus, as reviews for London’s newest attraction – the Marble Arch Mound – reveal a deep disconnect between the project proposal and public perception, we ask why landmarks in the city fail to impress residents and what can be done to rectify this trend.

Eloise McLennan, editor