All Features articles – Page 583
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FeaturesWhatever happened to best value?
Two years ago, best value was meant to revolutionise local government procurement. Instead of tendering on the basis of cost alone, councils would get the deal that was best for them in the long run. But little seems to have changed.
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FeaturesBridge on the River Thames
This is the epic tale of time bombs, divers, and the courage of a small band of engineers in the face of overwhelming odds. Yes, we are talking about the construction of a footbridge.
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FeaturesCost model: Britain's schools
The government’s investment of billions in Britain’s schools has raised the question of how that money can be spent most efficiently and effectively. Davis Langdon & Everest examines education from the point of view of policy and design, and gives cost breakdowns for two typical school building types
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FeaturesDavid Mackay
The architect who played a key role in making Barcelona the best-designed city in Europe is not trying to bring the Catalan touch here. We already have it – all we need to add is great design, civic pride and public money.
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Features
Don't you want me?
They have just turned in another bumper set of results, southern Britain doesn't have anything like enough homes and chief executives are shouting their successes from the rooftops. So why does the City still treat housebuilders like lepers?
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Early risers
Chrissie Chadney, head of training at Willmott Dixon, talks about the group's ‘reach out’ initiative that encourages teenagers to choose a career in construction
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FeaturesMaking waves
Architect Niall McLaughlin's radical, curvy seaside bandstand was designed using cutting-edge software borrowed from the product design industry and built using traditional joinery.
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Features
Out of the question
The art of asking the right questions is one that construction could do well to learn
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FeaturesBlue-sky thinking
Natural light and lots of it was needed for a hospital in East Anglia. But with a PFI consortium keen to keep costs down and planners restricting the building to four storeys, it was only going to happen if the design and specification was just right. Alex Smith reports on ...
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Features
LIfetime costs: timber and PVCu windows
The Building Performance Group takes a look at the window specifier's options in timber and PVCu frames, including the pros and cons of each type, how long the frames can be expected to last, and what they'll have cost by the end of their service
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Features
Windows, glazing and internal doors
What factors should an architect or builder consider when specifying internal doors and windows? Gerard Daws of Davis Langdon Schumann Smith lists the six essential points that apply to everything from a home extension to a million-pound City fit-out
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FeaturesAppointments
ConsultantsMechanical and electrical consulting engineer Building Services Group has appointed Tony Cassidy, previously with Cyril Sweett, to head its new M&E cost management division.Project manager Heery International has appointed Ken Hamilton senior commercial manager. Bob Heald and Martin Sinclair join as project managers.Midlands law practice Gateley Wareing has appointed David ...
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Features
Beat the squeeze
Uncertain times mean it's more important than ever to maintain a positive cash flow
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FeaturesBright sparks
Kings Avenue School in Lambeth, south London, with its vivid colours and inclusive approach to special needs education, offers Martin Spring an inspiring glimpse into a possible future of Britain's schools.
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FeaturesClient profile: British Waterways
Water, water, everywhere – and all of it the height of fashion, whether in a Titchmarshed garden or a comeback canal. Victoria Madine investigates one source of this new wave
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FeaturesFirms race to slap golden handcuffs on key staff
Performance-related pay pushes up rewards for company decision-makers at every level.
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FeaturesGetting more from your floor
It may sound strange, but concrete in a floor slab is a workshy material – all the the middle bit does is keep the bits at the surface apart. So why not replace it with something lighter? Thomas Lane reports on the Danish invention that does just that
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Features
How to spruce up your office this spring
Clean the windowsNatural light is good for your health. The cleaner your windows, the more your employees will benefit from the streams of golden sunlight that will pour into your office as the weather improves. Also, panes of glass covered in guano don't do much for a company's image.Change your ...
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Features
Just the job
FaberMaunsell's Graham Howells may have been appointed head of the firm's environment division, but he still believes it's important to have a life outside work