All articles by Andy Pearson – Page 7
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FeaturesThe likely lad
At just 30, Christopher Leslie is already the consummate politician. But how much does the man in charge of the Building Regulations actually know about construction? Andy Pearson finds out.
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FeaturesCutting through the Bull
The Brummies are getting their city centre back. The infamous concrete mess that was Birmingham's Bullring, is no more. In its place, an accessible, pedestrian-friendly shoppers' paradise is emerging – and not a subway in sight.
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Features
Fire alarm
Almost 20 years after a devastating World in Action exposé, the timber frame industry is back under the microscope. This time, government-backed research has found that poor workmanship is exposing occupants of timber frame buildings to potentially fatal fire risks.
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Features
20 ways to make tall buildings safer
This week, exactly 10 months after the collapse of the World Trade Centre, the Institution of Structural Engineers has published guidance that it hopes will mean a disaster of 11 September proportions will never happen again. Its recommendations on how to help buildings withstand a terrorist attack will affect existing ...
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FeaturesWe're saved! It's Utilityman
Computer-enhanced, radar-enabled, global-satellite-positioned, they can see through 3 m of tarmac and earth to find exactly what's hiding under innocent-looking roads. Andy Pearson reports on a new breed of superhero.
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FeaturesAdvertisement for myself
Geoffrey Reid Associates has turned its own offices into a shop window for the practice's marriage of sustainability and splendour
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Features
Self-abuse
When self-certification was set up, it was welcomed as a way to cut red tape and rid the industry of rogue traders. So why, just two months on, are furious builders and regulators clamouring to get rid of it?
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FeaturesRushed to hospital
It's the biggest PFI hospital so far – 872 beds in 4500 rooms, costing a grand total of £180m. And it had to be built fast, or the contractor would be hit by massive penalties. No wonder the project director's watching his figures.
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News
Industry faces 5% cost hike as new regs bite
THE FIRST INDICATIONS OF how hard the industry and its clients are being hit by 1 April's changes to Part L of the Building Regulations have just come to light.
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FeaturesBridge on the River Thames
This is the epic tale of time bombs, divers, and the courage of a small band of engineers in the face of overwhelming odds. Yes, we are talking about the construction of a footbridge.
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FeaturesParminder Mew and the temple of doom
It looked as if the Sikh community of Southall might never get its temple – let alone the biggest one outside India – until an adventurous project manager arrived to make it happen.
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News
Canadian firm bets on fast track casino bonanza
Engineer Yolles Partnership claims it will be able to build bespoke gambling centres in seven months.
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News
D&B faces double whammy from EU and Part L
Design-and-build procurement faces a two-pronged attack from the European Union and the revised Part L of the Building Regulations, which comes into force on Monday.
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Features
How to make friends and influence parliament
It seems construction is getting the hang of getting government's ear. Specialists, for example, have gathered 150 MPs behind their campaign to scrap retentions. Andy Pearson looks at how you, too, can have your way in Westminster. Illustration by Andrzej Krauze
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FeaturesClear vision
Foster's clever idea was a 25 m high glass wall floating 3 m above the ground. A tall order – especially as it couldn't sway in the wind. Andy Pearson found out how Arup rose to the challenge
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FeaturesBioterror: the threat to Britain's landmarks
Officials throughout the UK are working out ways to protect venues such as Durham Cathedral and Wimbledon from germ and chemical attack. Here's what they're planning …
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Features
Air restorer
You might want to take a deep breath before reading this – or then again, since the air in your office may be 10 times more polluted than it is outdoors, you might not. But now there's an air purification system that filters out the yuck and zaps bacteria to ...
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FeaturesMy kind of town
Why waste time designing a mere building when you can create your own city? When you're done, you can stroll through the boulevards, or even shoot 300 m into the air for a bird's eye view. Andy Pearson ponders on the practicalities of playing God
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FeaturesDo it the easy way
A three-house terrace in the east end of London, built entirely from aircrete blocks, is the testing ground for a fast, efficient, hassle-free construction system that could revolutionise housebuilding. Andy Pearson finds out whether it lives up to expectations
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News
Crown immunity under attack after blaze at asylum centre
£38m fire at detention centre without sprinklers leads to call for state to comply with Building Regulations.