All Features articles – Page 579
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FeaturesMaking life a brise
Cladding an entire office block with motorised louvres to make it comply with the tough new Building Regulation posed a fiendish puzzle to the specifiers – especially as it had never been done before. Alex Smith discovered how the riddle was answered.
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Features
Curtain walling and cladding
There are seven key points that need to be taken into careful consideration when specifying a curtain walling/cladding system, says Peter Claridge of Davis Langdon Schumann Smith. Here's what to watch out for …
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Features
Lifetimes costs: wall claddings
The range of wall claddings available is huge, and in deciding which to specify you must take into account their varying durability and whole-life costs. Peter Mayer of the Building Performance Group examines softwood, plastics and high-pressure laminates
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FeaturesDavid Fison
Just when you thought you'd never hear another good word about the PFI, along comes the new chief of Skanska UK, and he's barely able to contain his enthusiasm for it. Marcus Fairs went to meet him
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FeaturesModels of efficiency
The scions of The Peabody Trust might have been doing some head-scratching after approving the designs for its most recent modular housing scheme at Raines Dairy in Stoke Newington.
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Features
Faith in pod
Prefabrication is being held up as the answer to any number of housing problems, but are housebuilders ready to embrace the technical changes necessary to make it happen?
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FeaturesA life more ordinary
One year after resident Debbie Norris moved into her factory-built semi – a scheme dreamt up by Wimpey, the Guinness Trust and Britspace to prove that modular was a good way to build a new home – she had a few bones to pick with representatives from the alliance. But ...
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Features
Local lowdown
In this month's regional forecast, Robert Smith of Hays Montrose takes a look at the state of the job market in the south-west of England
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FeaturesA man with a plan
The London Plan, which explains how the capital will cope with a population growth of 10% in 15 years, is Ken Livingstone's big chance to make a difference. But, asks Martin Spring, can he overcome five fundamental barriers to making the vision a reality?
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FeaturesTapping in to timber
Factory build doesn't mean homes have to look standard and samey, as Sunley Homes and Environ Country Homes are proving.
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FeaturesWindows 2002
In the age of the supercomputer, architects are looking back nearly 2000 years for inspiration. Thomas Lane examines two dramatic glazing projects that have used ancient materials to create an undeniably 21st-century effect
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Features
There may be trouble ahead
In this month's tracker, Construction Forecasting and Research reports a slight improvement in April – but unfortunately the good news is marred by a rather less optimistic outlook
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FeaturesAppointments
HousebuildersCarol Bosley has joined the Redrow sales team in the Midlands as sales manager. Sharon Osborne (left) has been appointed field sales manager.Persimmon Homes has appointed Walter Harrison site manager.Linden Homes has appointed Andrew Brown managing director of Linden Homes North-west. ConsultantsInternational property adviser GVA Grimley has promoted Martin Hoyle ...
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FeaturesArt for art's sake
Exposed, geometric concrete is making a comeback in Sheffield with an award-winning complex of artists' studios designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley. But, wonders Martin Spring, will it stand the test of time?
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Features
Five internet sites for small businesses
www.fsb.org.ukThe Federation of Small Businesses is an independent lobby group. The site has a wealth of information including the results of surveys of its members, the in-depth analysis of key business issues, and plenty of practical advice. You can telephone the federation on 01253-336000. www.iod.comThe Institute of Directors produces lots ...
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Features
Focus on the regions
How are the activity levels and order books changing around the UK? THe figures give the balance of firms reporting an increase compared with those reporting a decrease
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Features
Seeing the light
With clients demanding aesthetic style and building regs requiring superb performance, it's time for the fenestration industry to rethink its philosophy