All articles by Andy Pearson – Page 8
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FeaturesAs hard as it gets
Zaha Hadid's Wolfsburg Science Centre is probably the most complicated structure humanity has ever tried to build. To get it right has required the harnessing of some great engineering minds and multiple software upgrades. Andy Pearson finds out how it will be done
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Features
Don't go KPI nuts
These days, there's a benchmarking tool for everything – except the effectiveness of benchmarking. And as key performance indicators cost more than peanuts to implement, how can companies work out which ones are truly key to their performance?
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FeaturesThe benchmark
In the latest of our occasional series on best practice, Gazeley Properties reveals to Andy Pearson how it employed a tight supply chain, innovative partnering methods and a revolutionary steel frame to construct a brand new warehouse in 12 weeks – plus two industry experts give their verdict
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Features
Brand new tradition
The New Haberdashers' Hall in London is a contradictory project – a modern design that reflects the history of its occupants, built using ancient craft techniques. Andy Pearson visited the site and met a very proud project manager
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Features
The big freeze
Winter is coming for the UK construction industry, and Building's latest national survey reveals that only regions with a large amount of public sector work can hope to avoid the worst of the blizzards.
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Features
The skyscraper of the future
… is taking shape as the best minds in structural engineering unite to work out what design changes will improve safety in tall buildings. Andy Pearson finds out what they've decided so far
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News
Floodplain development under insurance threat
Insurers could withdraw cover or ramp up premiums on floodplain schemes as climate change costs mount.
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Features
Sounding off
The debating chamber of the Greater London Authority building has very precise acoustic requirements. But how could the acoustician communicate these to designers unfamiliar with the "black art of sound"?
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Features
Glazed and confused
Changes to the Building Regulations mean that most of the window systems on the market will be obsolete in less than a year, but contractors appear oblivious to the danger they're in. Time to wake up?
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Features
The big idea
Edward Halford has spent the past five years designing a structure that is so efficient that single spans could be used to enclose a whole city. We find out how it works
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News
Big Brother to get its very own love shack
A mud "LOVE shack" is being constructed in the garden of the house in which the TV show Big Brother takes place.
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Features
Twin peaks
Despite the disasters, delays and last year's crane tragedy that left three men dead, the race to complete Britain's second tallest buildings is nearing completion. The twin monoliths that will be HSBC and Citigroup's HQs, now jostle for space in the London skyline
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Features
Signed, sealed and delivered
Architects and specifiers rejoice! A new international standard for sealant specification means goodbye to hours spent searching for the right product.
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News
More delays to new Building Regs, says DETR
Review of structural, acoustic and energy efficiency regulations hit by new focus on climate change.
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Features
Five steps from home
Steel frames doesn't have to be difficult option for housebuilders. The new system is as cheap as timber and can be put together in five easy stages.
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Features
Shed Zeppelin
The blimp is back. A German firm has plans to revive the airship in the form of a fleet of huge cargo carriers. And, of course, colossal gasbags need an even bigger hangar to be built in. The problems were, well, vast.
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Features
40 under forty
Meet the future of the industry. These are 40 of the bright young professionals who will be shaping construction in the 21st century. We’ve omitted those thirtysomethings already running large firms, such as Oliver Jones of Citex and Bovis Lend Lease’s Ross Taylor, and no doubt there are others we ...
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Features
Turning pitch
Will a winter spent on a state-of-the-art practice surface that can simulate spin and seam wickets give Glamorgan Cricket Club the edge this season?
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Features
Pret a port-air
Fewer faults in a fraction of the time – that's the message for clients from a firm that prefabricates services, including air-conditioning, in its factory and assembles them on site.