More Focus – Page 169
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FeaturesThe Regs Files: Energy perfomance in homes
With the energy performance of new homes proving far worse in practice than in theory, the government has been spurred into action - but its proposed quality assurance process for Part L compliance has not met with universal approval
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FeaturesThe state of play 03: Architects
The third of our sector-by-sector reports examines where the best opportunities - and the biggest pitfalls - lie for architects. By Will Hurst
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FeaturesSolar PV panels: Heavy loads
Photovoltaic panels are becoming ever more numerous as prices drop, but they can be a heavy burden on your roof if not carefully installed, says Peter Caplehorn
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FeaturesThe Regs Files: Changing Building Control
Plans are afoot to make approved inspectors and the LABC more streamlined, more efficient and more effective in the fight against non-compliance. But will they work?
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FeaturesThe Regs Files: Streamlining Parts K, M and N
The proposed streamlining of Parts K and M, and the end of N, have been broadly welcomed by the industry. But would more simplification serve to clarify or confuse?
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FeaturesCrossrail: Pulling out all the stops
Crossrail - the biggest engineering project in Europe - also claims to be a driver for multimillion-pound regeneration in the capital. Ike Ijeh takes a look at three key stations along the route and asks how much Londoners will really benefit
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FeaturesInterview with Julian Barwick, Development Securities
Development Securities is venturing away from its core business of commercial as hard times call for diversification, its development director Julian Barwick tells Emily Wright - en route to lunch
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FeaturesThe Alan Cherry Debate 2012: Design quality in an age of austerity
How can construction professionals deliver well designed homes that don’t cost a fortune? A high-profile panel including Lord Rogers and Nick Raynsford, and joined by communities secretary Eric Pickles, tackled the issues at the annual Alan Cherry Debate
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FeaturesThe state of play 02: Consultancy
In the second of our sector-by-sector reports, Ian Withers looks at the strategies consultants are adopting to meet the challenges of uncertain times
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FeaturesThe Mary Rose museum: Hidden treasure
The Mary Rose museum is ready for fit-out but to get to this point the contractor had to build around the ancient hull, keeping it at a constant temperature to allow restoration to be uninterrrupted. Thomas Lane found out how the team handled an historic gem
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FeaturesLegal challenges to HS2: Destination High Court
High Speed 2 holds out the prospect of a much-needed boost to UK construction. But the legal challenges the project faces means it could hit the buffers before it’s even left the platform. Allister Hayman reports
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FeaturesWhole-life carbon: Prestige offices
Using the example of a building in the City of London, Gareth Roberts of Sturgis Carbon Profiling explains how new European standards for whole-life carbon assessment can make big savings
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FeaturesInterview with Uwe Krueger, Atkins
Almost a year ago Atkins chose German physicist and brain scientist Uwe Krueger to improve its performance and drive global expansion. Sarah Richardson talks to him about the things going on in his head. Portrait by Anthony Lycett
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FeaturesWhat's next for consultants?
Find out what five consultancy chief execs think the future holds for quantity surveyors and engineers
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FeaturesStudents design accommodation units
Architecture students conceive of units that are above and bellow ground whilst respecting the site at Lumsdale Valley
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FeaturesWakefield council offices: A model of modesty
Cartwright Pickard’s considered, pragmatic design has allowed Wakefield’s council offices to come in at under half the price of some other recent civic buildings. Could this be a template for more hubristic architects to follow, asks Ike Ijeh
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FeaturesResuscitating construction: Alternative medicine
Last week Building looked at the government’s failure to resuscitate construction. This week, Joey Gardiner looks at where treatment is most urgently needed for construction to make a swift recovery
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FeaturesThe tracker: Staying put
Construction activity stayed static last month, with increases in the non-residential and civil engineering sector indices failing to lift them from negative territory, according to Experian Economics
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FeaturesInterview with Dr Diana Montgomery, CPA: Welcome to our world
Dr Diana Montgomery has only been working in construction for four weeks and already she’s preparing to take on the government and the industry’s vested interests. In her first interview, the new chief executive of the CPA sets out her stall to Emily Wright
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FeaturesThe state of play 01: Contractors
The double-dip recession that the industry has been dreading is finally upon us. But exactly how bad are things out there, and how much worse are they going to get? In the first part of Building’s State of Play series examining the health of the industry, sector by sector, Emily ...