ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø

Joseph Hansom, architect and safety cab inventor, was the founder and first editor (and still on the staff as our diarist). He set out to encompass all the professions, the contractors and the suppliers of materials.

Today ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø is still the only magazine written for the entire construction community. Our position has been maintained because our editorial policy has remained fiercely loyal to that espoused by George Godwin, the magazine's most eminent editor: to please, inform and instruct. To do this we have constantly adapted it to suit the changing nature of the industry.

This issue marks another stage in that process. We've moved to a squarer format to give photographs more impact and "please" the reader. There's also a wealth of new content to "instruct and inform". We've introduced sections on clients, and for employees starting their first job. We've also expanded our financial and legal information, and in the coming weeks look out for more on specialists. You'll also find lighter touches, such as "ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø buys a pint".

The magazine has never been afraid of championing causes, and today we begin our 99% campaign to reduce energy wastage in our existing building stock. We hope you'll support us. But it's not just the campaign that addresses sustainability; throughout the magazine you'll find more information to help guide you through this complex area of regulations and technology.

Although many of you have told us that the printed magazine is your first port of call, our website has become just as important - follow the many links in the magazine to find out why. Also online we are launching ºÚ¶´ÉçÇøTV - click on the virtual tour of Jean Nouvel's Paris museum, and look out for live interviews. We've even persuaded Tony Bingham to take up blogging.

This week is also a celebration of our past. It was 40 years ago that we changed our name from The Builder to ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø. To mark this we've published a Hall of Fame supplement to honour the 40 people who've done most for the built environment in the past 40 years. In September we will open a permanent exhibition at the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Centre, and a name will be added each year.

We're excited by the changes we've made to grow our publication. We believe they reflect the nature of the industry our readers work in - one that grows ever more sophisticated, confident and successful.

Denise Chevin, editor