Buildings, design and specification – Page 6
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Features
How to build 5,000 homes in Middle England – and keep the neighbours happy
Urban & Civic is only 12 years old but this private equity-backed property start-up is turning heads with its approach to master development. Elizabeth Hopkirk visited a former RAF base in Cambridgeshire to see the business model in action
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Cost model: Net zero homes
As net zero carbon becomes a guiding principle across all new buildings but with so many design and construction issues yet to be solved or standardised, creating housing stock is a challenge, explains Aecom’s Rob Mills
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It’s a wrap: restoring Selfridges’ showstopper status
As if one shocking shopfront look wasn’t enough, Birmingham’s sassy Selfridges has donned a temporary garb of even greater gaudiness while faults are fixed in the glittering blue chainmail below. Thomas Lane explains the technical challenges
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Procurement in an inflationary market
With some materials prices going through the roof, inflation has become the hot topic for 2021. Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis examines what is causing the problem and what mitigation options clients have
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A lab of two halves … Warwick’s bold bid to keep those nasty bugs at bay
Designed by Hawkins\Brown, Warwick university’s new £54.3m interdisciplinary biomedical research facility features contrasting facades of dark bronze and white concrete that reflect the two different aspects of what is happening inside
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Wolfson College, Oxford: first-class graduates in energy efficiency
Wolfson College in Oxford has set out to cut 75% of emissions on its main estate by March next year and plans to be net zero by 2030
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Can anyone save the RIBA?
With a new president takes over next month, many are asking what is next for the organisation
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Nicholas Boys Smith: ‘A bit of controversy forces you to have the conversation’
Nicholas Boys Smith talks to Joey Gardiner about the government’s intentions and how they square with his beauty agenda
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Liverpool defends its status as a city of sensitive regeneration – but Unesco begs to differ
A badge of honour or a certificate not worth the trouble? Liverpool’s loss of its world heritage status has opened a debate about the purpose and value of the designation
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Features
Cost model: Data centres
Data centres have become vital infrastructure, but as their importance has grown, so too have their size, security threats and carbon output
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Features
Kingston Cycle Hub: no ordinary bike shed
Kingston council has spent £32m upgrading the borough’s cycling facilities, including a stylish storage hub beside the railway station with secure space for 400 bicycles. Could this be the direction of travel across the country?
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Features
What are we going to do about concrete?
One of the most versatile materials on the planet, concrete is also one of the most polluting. But pressure is growing on the cement industry to come up with ways to reduce its carbon footprint
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Client profile: Emma-Jane Houghton in charge of the New Hospital Programme
The commercial director leading the government’s 40-hospital construction programme explains what she’s looking for from suppliers
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Cost model: Reinvention
Reinvention – making obsolete buildings relevant to today’s market, including by conversion to more valuable uses – is a green alternative to demolition and rebuilding. Nic di Santo, Alastair Kenyon and Rachel Coleman of Alinea balance the benefits against the risks and constraints, and detail the costs of an example ...
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Features
Bigger and better: One Triton Square
How British Land increased the net area of a 20-year old office block by 57% but still saved 40,000 tonnes of carbon by opting for refurbishment over new build
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Features
Museum of the Home: making visitors comfortable
After the planning hoo-ha that saw Chipperfield’s original proposals dropped, Wright Wright has delivered a major yet subtle expansion of the former Geffrye Museum – now renamed Museum of the Home – that visitors may not even notice. Richard Gatti reports
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Features
Canary Wharf’s new chapter: Shifting focus to residential
The stepping down of Sir George Iacobescu has raised fresh questions about the future of the iconic business district. As new boss Shobi Khan hints at a fresh residential-led vision, we take a look at what the future may hold
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Features
Cost model: Zero carbon offices
UK offices could well become the standard-bearers for innovative carbon-cutting practices – here Aecom provides a cost breakdown of a typical low carbon office scheme
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Features
Bodmin Jail: unlocking the potential of a piece of Cornish history
Abandoned in 1927 and left to ruin for almost a century, it took a team of brave (or foolhardy?) developers to decide that Bodmin Jail had the potential to become a hotel and tourist attraction. Bats, pigeons, neighbouring builders and covid-19 ensured that realising their vision was easier said ...
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Features
You can’t build, build, build if you don’t have the materials
A global shortage of key products means prices are rising and lead times growing, potentially putting the recovery at risk. Tom Lowe reports