All Features articles – Page 585
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FeaturesDave Prentis
After his stunning victory over PFI contractors last week, the Unison general secretary has emerged as the PFI’s most effective opponent. But, he tells Tom Broughton, that doesn’t make him a ‘wrecker’ …
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Features
How to make friends and influence parliament
It seems construction is getting the hang of getting government's ear. Specialists, for example, have gathered 150 MPs behind their campaign to scrap retentions. Andy Pearson looks at how you, too, can have your way in Westminster. Illustration by Andrzej Krauze
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Features
Grow your own
Contractor Hills Electrical & Mechanical tackles skills shortages with post A-level training, as human resources co-ordinator Adele Turner explains
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FeaturesRaising Hull
Opening to the public this weekend, Sir Terry Farrell's Hull aquarium is designed to put the lost city of the North back on the map. But, asks Martin Spring, is The Deep up to the task?
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FeaturesStarting LIFT off
The Local Improvement Finance Trust, designed to get health centres ship-shape by 2004, was launched two years ago. So why, asks Victoria Madine, hasn't it got off the ground yet?
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Taking off the pounds
As the financial year-end approaches, smaller businesses should be planning to save tax
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FeaturesProducts: New kids on the block
In this masonry special, Specifier takes a look at the latest bricks, blocks and accessories and how they are being used – including Michael Hopkins and Partners' 300 m long brick facade in Norwich and Crest Nicholson's traditionally-built housing development in Kent
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Checklist: Bricks, blocks and insulation
Solid, perforated, frogged or hollow, Peter Claridge of Davis Langdon Schumann Smith outlines the essential details on specifying bricks and blocks of all shapes and sizes, whatever the application – plus the insulation to go with them
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FeaturesBrick masterclass
Two offices, two brick facades – and one hell of a challenge for the architect: how to blend modern and Victorian styling into a harmonious whole. The answer was in the spec, and luckily expert subbies were there to work out how.
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Features
Rule changes for masonry
Changes to the thermal, environmental and acoustic regulations will affect the way walls are constructed. Alex Smith examines changes in Part L and E of the Building Regulations and new European standards
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FeaturesLifetime costs: Walling and environmental efficiency
Walling is a key element of construction lifetime costs. Kathryn Bourke of BRE underlines the main implications in planning the whole service life and performance of walls – plus overleaf, BRE's new environmental profiles scheme explained
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FeaturesAppointments
ContractorsHertfordshire-based Borras Group has made three appointments at its subsidiary, T&B Contractors. Mark Hickson has been appointed contracts director. Marc Jeffries becomes contracts manager. Kevin O'Dell has been promoted to chief surveyor. HousebuildersLaurence Garner has joined Kier Residential as finance director. Karen Parker has been appointed sales manager for Gleeson ...
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Features
Five tools for getting the balance right
Curl up with Rob Parson's The Heart of Success (£7, Hodder & Stoughton). This newly published book is packed with practical advice for executives about how to balance family and career demands. "Try applying one principle a week and see the change," raves one reviewer.Try the TUC's Changing Times Published ...
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FeaturesBioterror: the threat to Britain's landmarks
Officials throughout the UK are working out ways to protect venues such as Durham Cathedral and Wimbledon from germ and chemical attack. Here's what they're planning …
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FeaturesDrop-in centre
HLM Architects' office building inserted into London's Arundel Great Court has been ingeniously designed to serve as the hub of the complex – without being glaringly obvious
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FeaturesClear vision
Foster's clever idea was a 25 m high glass wall floating 3 m above the ground. A tall order – especially as it couldn't sway in the wind. Andy Pearson found out how Arup rose to the challenge
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FeaturesCost study: Coin Street housing
Haworth Tompkins’ design for Coin Street on London’s South Bank has been hailed as a new model for high-density inner-city housing. In this project review Coin Street Community Builders, Haworth Tompkins Architects and Davis Langdon & Everest look at the project’s design costs
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Features
Union of dull Jacks
Brits may be the hardest workers in Europe, but the all-work-and-no-play culture doesn't make us happy or productive. And, as the results of the Building/DTI work–life balance survey suggest, a more relaxed workforce may mean a healthier balance sheet.
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FeaturesEscape from the pod people
Two young architects discovered that prefab is being taken over by developers who think it means putting toilet pods everywhere – and vowed to fight back … Martin Spring found out how they're doing
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Features
Mind the gaps
In the struggle to recruit and retain good staff, we should all be a bit more thoughtful …