All Features articles – Page 641
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Features
Nobody should die in an earthquake
Seismic engineer Ted Piepenbrock wants an end to earthquake fatalities caused by collapse. Now, he has helped design a quake-proof system for a 100m high convention centre in Japan
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Features
Materials life costs
The lifespan of fully supported metal sheet roofing is examined in the latest of this series on the whole-life costs of materials, which is compiled by Building Performance Group to assist specifiers and clients.
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Features
The big comeback
Marks & Spencer’s huge new store is leading the regeneration of Manchester city centre after the bomb. And on page 46, a footbridge that celebrates M&S’ legendary hosiery.
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Features
Bad rates in tenders
Some contractors try to wriggle out of a quoted rate when valuing a variation, but unless the nature of the work changes or they can obtain consent, they are bound to the bill.
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Features
Union power is back
Meet the revitalised unions. They can vet bidders for PFI projects, they can influence the Treasury on ownership of hospitals, they can change government policy on staff transferral. Can the PFI survive?
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Features
Appointments
ContractorsBuilding, civil and utilities engineering contractor McNicholas has appointed Geoff Rose regional manager for the Midlands and Wales. Eamonn Taylor has been appointed head of the firm’s London building and civil engineering division.Jon Dale has been promoted to managing director of Kvaerner Construction International. Andy Johnson joins the firm as ...
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Features
Adjudication: the facts
How much does adjudication cost you? Will you get it back? Who's using it against whom? How much of your claim will you recover? The James R Knowles case log provides the statistics.
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Features
Watch out, cameras about
Next time you are dashing about in your company car, keep an eye on your speed dial. If you get caught going over the limit, higher insurance premiums could be the least of your worries.
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Features
Here’s the new plan
Forget Coronation Street and Brookside. Granadaland is leading the avant-garde in urban design and regeneration – as the next three pages of exciting projects demonstrate.
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Features
The trouble with set-off
Construction firms have shown little reticence in using set-off provisions in contracts as a way of promoting positive cash flow. Adjudicators, like the courts, should be on the lookout for this iniquitous practice.
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Features
PFI procurement
Building’s series of articles on different procurement routes continues with procurement for private finance initiative projects.
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Features
Rough justice
A quality mark scheme with a consumer complaint element will hit cowboy builders hard. Alas, it will do the same to legitimate outfits.
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Features
Just the job
The Chinese project manager helping Ove Arup build business in Asia tells Elaine Knutt what brought him to Manchester.
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Features
The producers from hell
The Beeb got two feminists and a couple of builders to live together for a week, then filmed the ensuing scrap. But did they, in addition, do what they could to make sure it was as nasty as possible?
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Features
Experimenting with drugs
Pharmaceuticals projects are ridiculously attractive: rapidly growing, secure, high-margin work immune to the ups and downs of the business cycle. The only catch is that they’re a “bloody nightmare” to get.
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Features
The cost of a holiday
The Working Time Regulations cause difficulties for companies that engage workers whose pay or hours fluctuate. On what basis do you work out their holiday pay?
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Features
Cost study: Holiday Inn Express
The client wanted a budget hotel built for a fixed price with minimum risk. Thanks to the innovative use of a special purpose vehicle company, it was able to start operating the new Holiday Inn Express at Wellingborough after just 30 weeks on site
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Features
Discovering Columbus
In 1996, Ove Arup Partnership began exploring the uncharted waters of document management systems. The team was unimpressed by what it found. Then an expert from its own computer arm rang. The result is a gift to the industry.
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Features
Appointments
ContractorsBangor-based Watkin Jones Construction has appointed Nigel Tonge group business development manager.MJ Gleeson has appointed Steve Davies managing director of its property division.Roofing and cladding contractor Rogerson Group (Roofing) has appointed Bob Beattie managing director.HousebuildersTaywood Homes has appointed Claire Crawford field sales manager for Scotland.John Ireland has been appointed group ...
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Features
You know his vision…
… now see his practice. His firm's three buildings in the heart of Berlin are the very model of mixed-use, high-density design – as well as being stunning examples of the architect's art.