More Focus – Page 178
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FeaturesBig contractors and SMEs: It’s his pond now
Big contractors are hungry and have moved into waters normally the preserve of SMEs. What’s more, they’ve got no plans to leave, even when the more prestigious projects come back. Clients are delighted, but small firms could see yet more of their work gobbled up
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FeaturesInternational costs 2011
Things may be tough in the UK economy and construction industry, but how do we compare to other countries? Paul Moore of EC Harris looks at when recovery can be expected, and where
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FeaturesShow RCA 2011: Architecture
Three students from the Royal College of Art graduate show explain their future visions
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FeaturesBIM: The inside story
In recent weeks we’ve heard all about BIM - its advantages, the sharing principle, the downfalls,the training needed and the cost, but what does it all actually mean? Thomas Lane follows one BIMed-up project from beginning to end
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FeaturesPFI schools: must try harder
With last week’s launch of a programme to build 300 schools, it seems education secretary Michael Gove has finally got wise to the benefits of PFI. So that’s the multiple choice out of the way. But the really tricky stuff is yet to come
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FeaturesThe first Olympic velodrome: Tour de force
The 2012 Olympics are fast approaching but in all the hype we musn’t forget sports venues of the past. Building visits the first Olympic velodrome as it undergoes a restoration to its former glory
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FeaturesInvesting in training: Forward thinking
It’s tempting to cut when times get hard, but investment in training and developing new talent is vital to the industry’s future. Here’s how three major firms are offering tomorrow’s leaders the chance to learn the skills they’ll need
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FeaturesMarket forecast: Glass half empty
Things are looking up in London, but the rest of the country is lagging behind, says Peter Fordham of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company. Another difficult year for the construction industry lies ahead
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FeaturesView from my office: James Slattery
The BCQS director reports from his office in Jardins area of Sao Paulo
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FeaturesOlympics: a year to go
We’re on the last lap and so far it’s all gone rather well, with projects coming in on time and under budget. Job done, then? You’ve got to be kidding. Emily Wright looks at where we’re at and what’s still to do
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FeaturesMargaret Ford: After the Games
For the Olympic Park Legacy Company, the end of the Games is just the beginning - that’s when its £315m transformation of the site will begin. Chair of the body Margaret Ford tells Building about its new powers, what’s up for grabs, and about her ’crazy’ past two weeks
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FeaturesWill the construction strategy help or hinder SMEs?
The coalition’s construction strategy was officially launched this week. How come SMEs are worried that life is about to become much more difficult? Building reports
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FeaturesTop 150 Contractors and Housebuilders 2011
Looking at recent trading updates you’d be forgiven for thinking that the industry was on the road to recovery. But there’s a few big hurdles to jump over yet, and this will take some time. Martin Hewes’ annual league tables of the UK’s top contractors and housebuilders show exactly how ...
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FeaturesPete Redfern: How the recession made me stronger
In 2008 Taylor Wimpey’s chief executive was battling to rescue the firm from the brink of collapse, just months after the merged company became the UK’s biggest housebuilder. Today it’s back in growth and a far stronger business. Building talked to him about surviving tough times
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FeaturesSustainability: From start to finish
Sustainability means more than how a finished building performs - how the materials start and end their lives is increasingly important. Building looks at the challenges faced when trying to go green and how three sectors are adapting
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FeaturesHackney Empire vs Aviva Insurance: The Empire strikes back
This is the tale of a theatre project, backed by Lord Sugar, that landed its client with a £3.2m headache. Now eight years on there’s a legal battle over a bond between the insurer and the theatre owner
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FeaturesSustainability in Brazil: For the trees
Brazil is famous for sustainability: a lack of it. But a new wave of green legislation and client requirements is creating demand for skills local contractors don’t have - and UK specialists are first in line for the work. Luke McLeod-Roberts reports in the second of our special features on ...
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FeaturesRydon's Bob Bond: Safe pair of hands
Rydon boss Bob Bond finds being at the helm of a medium-sized company gives him the agility needed to steer a steady course through choppy waters. Even introducing an innovative investment model shouldn’t rock the boat
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Features10 ways to make your office outstanding (in BREEAM’s eyes, at least)
These days the corporate world is falling over itself to improve its environmental credentials. Thomas Lane takes a look at the newest, greenest, office building on the block and finds out how your office can be ’outstanding’ too