All Features articles – Page 291
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FeaturesInvesting in training: Forward thinking
It’s tempting to cut when times get hard, but investment in training and developing new talent is vital to the industry’s future. Here’s how three major firms are offering tomorrow’s leaders the chance to learn the skills they’ll need
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FeaturesPFI schools: must try harder
With last week’s launch of a programme to build 300 schools, it seems education secretary Michael Gove has finally got wise to the benefits of PFI. So that’s the multiple choice out of the way. But the really tricky stuff is yet to come
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FeaturesView from my office: James Slattery
The BCQS director reports from his office in Jardins area of Sao Paulo
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FeaturesMargaret Ford: After the Games
For the Olympic Park Legacy Company, the end of the Games is just the beginning - that’s when its £315m transformation of the site will begin. Chair of the body Margaret Ford tells Building about its new powers, what’s up for grabs, and about her ’crazy’ past two weeks
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FeaturesOlympics: a year to go
We’re on the last lap and so far it’s all gone rather well, with projects coming in on time and under budget. Job done, then? You’ve got to be kidding. Emily Wright looks at where we’re at and what’s still to do
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FeaturesTop 150 Contractors and Housebuilders 2011
Looking at recent trading updates you’d be forgiven for thinking that the industry was on the road to recovery. But there’s a few big hurdles to jump over yet, and this will take some time. Martin Hewes’ annual league tables of the UK’s top contractors and housebuilders show exactly how ...
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FeaturesWill the construction strategy help or hinder SMEs?
The coalition’s construction strategy was officially launched this week. How come SMEs are worried that life is about to become much more difficult? Building reports
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FeaturesSustainability: From start to finish
Sustainability means more than how a finished building performs - how the materials start and end their lives is increasingly important. Building looks at the challenges faced when trying to go green and how three sectors are adapting
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FeaturesPete Redfern: How the recession made me stronger
In 2008 Taylor Wimpey’s chief executive was battling to rescue the firm from the brink of collapse, just months after the merged company became the UK’s biggest housebuilder. Today it’s back in growth and a far stronger business. Building talked to him about surviving tough times
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FeaturesBuilding intelligence Q1 2011: Some sectors see improvement
Experian Marketing Information Services’ analysis of the first quarter of 2011 shows that despite poor performance in new orders, some sectors - such as private housing - have seen improvement
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Features10 ways to make your office outstanding (in BREEAM’s eyes, at least)
These days the corporate world is falling over itself to improve its environmental credentials. Thomas Lane takes a look at the newest, greenest, office building on the block and finds out how your office can be ’outstanding’ too
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FeaturesThe Housing Design awards 2011: The modern tradition
This year’s Housing Design Awards include bite-size adaptable units, more houses and better integrated public spaces. And they all seem animated by a nostalgia for traditional housing
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FeaturesHackney Empire vs Aviva Insurance: The Empire strikes back
This is the tale of a theatre project, backed by Lord Sugar, that landed its client with a £3.2m headache. Now eight years on there’s a legal battle over a bond between the insurer and the theatre owner
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FeaturesRydon's Bob Bond: Safe pair of hands
Rydon boss Bob Bond finds being at the helm of a medium-sized company gives him the agility needed to steer a steady course through choppy waters. Even introducing an innovative investment model shouldn’t rock the boat
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FeaturesSustainability in Brazil: For the trees
Brazil is famous for sustainability: a lack of it. But a new wave of green legislation and client requirements is creating demand for skills local contractors don’t have - and UK specialists are first in line for the work. Luke McLeod-Roberts reports in the second of our special features on ...
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FeaturesThe tracker: Slim pickings
Though activity, orders and employment are down, firms are relatively upbeat about tender prices, which are at a three-year high. Experian Marketing Information Services brings the latest figures
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FeaturesLead times April - July 2011
The earthquake in Japan has had a negative effect on electronic control equipment and the steel market is fluctuating but enquiries are up and lead times remain stable. Brian Moone of Mace reports
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FeaturesCase studies: houses built to 2016 zero-carbon standards
The government’s recent announcement that ’zero-carbon homes’ need not include appliances will allow future green housing to ditch peculiar solar panel-toting designs to resemble, well, normal houses. Building tours some schemes that fit the bill
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FeaturesFinancing infrastructure: the $60tn question
Sponsored content: The value of global infrastructure projects is enormous, but this market also has tough challenges. Building invited a panel of experts to debate the issues at the Infrastructure Executive Forum