All Features articles – Page 553
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FeaturesPipe beams
Depressed by its gloomy offices, a company in Washington DC saw its dreams of a brighter future come true with the help of a rooftop mirror and a giant glass pipe …
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FeaturesOut of the dark ages
Archaic lighting guidance designed to work with 1980s computer technology has finally been superseded by the new LG3. So why, asks Thomas Lane, isn't everybody feeling brighter about it?
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Features
Local lowdown
Continuing our regional series, Robert Smith of recruitment consultant Hays Montrose turns the spotlight on the job market in the Midlands
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Featureswe can work it out
Major players are falling out of love with PFI, exasperated by the lengthy and costly process. Phil Clark assesses Labour's bid to woo them back – preferably in time to build key schemes before the next election.
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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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FeaturesTowering innuendo
Foster and Partner's 'erotic gherkin' tower is rising fast in the City of London
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FeaturesThe new hedonists
Far from succumbing to Islamic fundamentalism, wealthy Gulf clients are throwing up iconic hotels, casinos and paradise islands like there's no tomorrow. Victoria Madine and Martin Spring found out how British firms can slide into construction's new fast lane
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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
Tender price forecast: Back on track
Despite a dip in orders at the end of last year, the sector is back on track with new workload spurred by generous infrastructure spending, reports Davis Langdon & Everest – but resourcing problems may undermine the sector’s attempts to sustain current levels of output
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Features
Talent scout
John Allen, chairman of engineer John Allen Consulting, talks about the imaginative ideas his firm is employing to attract young people into the industry
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FeaturesAppointments
ContractorsSchools and colleges specialist Bernard Ward has appointed Stuart Johnstone construction manager for the Cambridge area. Charlie Lacy Scott has rejoined the company as business development executive.Social housing contractor Frank Haslam Milan has appointed Stephen McCoy and Stephen Francis commercial manager and estimating manager respectively. HousebuildersAntler Homes has appointed Rob ...
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Features
Jarvis gets tough on agency
tax-avoidance schemesSupport services group calls on subcontractors to employ direct labour and avoid use of 'composite companies'.
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Features
Mansell to close troubled maintenance arm
Contractor Mansell is closing its loss-making maintenance arm as part of a plan to float on the stock exchange.This decision will mean the closure of four offices in Glasgow, Warrington, Cheshire, Reading, Berkshire and Leeds. The £492m group has yet to finalise details of redundancies at the division, which employs ...
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Features
Shennan in talks over key post at Bluestone
Former Kier National boss Graham Shennan could soon join Morgan Sindall's loss-making regional contracting business Bluestone.Building understands that Shennan, who left Kier in May, has been offered a specially created role on the board of directors at Bluestone in an attempt to turn the division around.John Morgan, executive chairman of ...
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FeaturesWhen Wimpey met Wayne
Last year, fashion guru Wayne Hemingway launched a very public attack on volume housing. So housebuilder Wimpey offered him a job. Marcus Fairs found out what happened next …
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FeaturesWho dares, wins
Interim managers are a bit like the SAS of the construction industry – they come in, clear up the mess and get out again – and construction firms are increasingly turning to them for help in difficult times. But why, asks Victoria Madine, doesn't anyone want to talk about it?
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FeaturesCost model: Energy savings
Following April’s budget, landlords can claim tax relief if they invest in energy-efficient technologies. But will these savings cover the extra initial outlay? Patrick Murdock, head of capital allowances consulting at Cyril Sweett, and Simon Harris, associate in the firm’s engineering services cost management team, use the case study of ...
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Features
Children of the revolution
IT was supposed to transform the construction industry. Over the past few years there have been incredible technological advances – but for every firm that's using online collaboration and intelligent objects, there are dozens that are sticking to tried-and-tested methods. So how did construction get stuck in the slow ...
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Features
Temporary blip
Katy Butland and Elizabeth Kinloch, consultants at the Building Recruitment Company, compare the pros and cons of temporary and permanent positions
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FeaturesAppointments
ContractorsContrad Construction has appointed Colin Sims construction manager. He will be responsible for projects in the west London area.Construction group Morgan Sindall's fit-out division has appointed John Scott health and safety manager.HousebuildersSharron Taylor and Pamela Brown (left) have joined Furlong Homes' sales team in its office in Islington, north London. ...