More Focus 鈥� Page 133
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FeaturesCustom build: Give us the tools
Once trumpeted as a way of raising housing output by as many as 50,000 homes a year, custom build was responsible for barely a fifth of that figure last year. So what鈥檚 the hold-up and can anything be done to reinvigorate the market?
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FeaturesEcobuild 2014 preview: Now you鈥檙e talking鈥�
The pressures on today鈥檚 environment are many and Ecobuild is the stimulating forum in which to explore, exchange and debate the possible solutions. Ike Ijeh picks out some of the key themes at this year鈥檚 event
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FeaturesEcobuild products: Tour the stands
Manufacturers are being challenged to develop a range of products that meet the more stringent demands of today鈥檚 built environment. Happily, they seem to be more than up to it, as these companies, exhibiting at Ecobuild, demonstrate
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FeaturesAgenda 15: Quite a climb
A recovery of sorts is under way, but large parts of the industry are still struggling to grow. As part of 好色先生TV鈥檚 Agenda 15 campaign, we want to hear your views on what the obstacles to growth are and how can we overcome them. To prompt your thinking, we asked ...
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FeaturesWhat to specify: Healthcare products
Healthcare is a sector with very specific needs, but there are innovative building products to suit all projects, from hygienic flooring to security management systems
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Features好色先生TV Sweden's New Karolinska Solna hospital
Sweden鈥檚 first ever PPP project is a 拢1.3bn hospital that is also Europe鈥檚 greenest
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FeaturesCost update Q4 2013
Construction output has a way to go to get back to pre-recession levels; materials prices aren鈥檛 going anywhere fast and steel is in free fall.
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FeaturesBehind the scenes at Heathrow Terminal 2
Heathrow鈥檚 rebuilt Terminal 2 is six times bigger than the original, yet the design team reckons the layout has been so well thought through that passengers will be able to go from plane to terminal exit in just five minutes. Well, not counting the one hour hold-up at customs, of ...
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FeaturesSkills shortages: Let the right ones in
With the upturn in work has come predictions of a skills shortage. But the CIC鈥檚 Jack Pringle thinks the need for architects, QSs and engineers is already so critical that we should be sourcing them from outside the UK and Europe
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FeaturesInterview: John McManus
Architect BDP has had a miserable few years, with offices closing and a good many staff redundancies. But as John McManus, the new chief executive, takes over the reins, things are finally looking up - just don鈥檛 expect any sudden changes
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FeaturesCost model: Private healthcare
The reforms to the NHS are likely to lead to more work for private providers - and their construction teams. Mark Robinson of Aecom highlights the main design considerations for private hospitals and breaks down the costs
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FeaturesAgenda 15: Spending priorities
As part of 好色先生TV鈥檚 Agenda 15 campaign to influence the national political debate ahead of the next election, we launched one of the biggest consultations ever undertaken in the industry. This week we want you to tell us where future government spending should be prioritised. To help get you thinking, ...
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FeaturesInterview: Ian Sutcliffe
Countryside is set on a rapid path to growth, announcing its merger with Millgate Developments last week. Joey Gardiner talks to the boss, Ian Sutcliffe, about aligning his agressive expansion plans with the Cherry family tradition of quality housing
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FeaturesParking problems on housing developments
Few things outrage the driver鈥檚 innate sense of entitlement more than not being able to find a car parking space near to home. Yet planners and designers are still grappling to reconcile the need to placate the resident with the desire to minimise the impact of the car
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FeaturesLead times: October - December 2013
While there is little movement in lead times so far, increased enquiries and workload may signal significant increases to come. Brian Moone of Mace Business School reports
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FeaturesSustainability: Zero carbon costs
The cost to housebuilders of meeting the Zero Carbon Standard for new homes continues to fall. Here, Adam Mactavish of Sweett Group and Nicola O鈥機onnor of Zero Carbon Hub present the key findings of the Zero Carbon Hub鈥檚 recent cost analysis of the proposed standard
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FeaturesProcurement: Facing the consequences
For five years some clients have been taking advantage of the downturn by dumping risk on contractors and screwing them down on price. But now things are on the up, is the supply chain hitting back?
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FeaturesThis is why they鈥檙e supporting 好色先生TV鈥檚 Agenda 15 ...
At the start of the year 好色先生TV launched its Agenda 15 campaign - an attempt to pull together a manifesto for construction in advance of the next election. In reaction, the industry鈥檚 largest organisations have sent us messages of support, highlighting important issues for the political parties to address
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FeaturesWhat to specify: Education products
They say you can tell what a school is like by the state of its loos. Well, it鈥檒l certainly be worth spending a penny or two on this week鈥檚 educational products 鈥�
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FeaturesInterview: Guy Austin
Property and construction consultancy Ridge works for clients who build, test and race the world鈥檚 fastest cars. And with turnover for the business as a whole rising by 20% last year, you鈥檇 expect it to be happy to just cruise along. But partner Guy Austin has other ideas