More Focus – Page 188
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Features
Avanti Architects on education specification
With a smaller pool of projects and severe pressure on fees, winning work in the education sector is about to get even tougher. Building asks Amir Ramezani, a director at London architecture practice Avanti Architects, to assess the market
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FeaturesGreg Clark: Local hero
Greg Clark pretty much invented localism as a political idea, and now he’s the minister implementing it as a policy. But he’s adamant that he is genuinely pro-development and not the nimby champion we all fear
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FeaturesHigh velocity: The Olympic velodrome
Hopkins’ Olympic velodrome is the first 2012 venue to reach the finish line and the result is a dynamic statement of simplicity and elegance
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FeaturesDifficult jurisdictions: Kazakhstan
Continuing our series on difficult jurisdictions, Chris Hill explains how doing business in booming Kazakhstan has become much easier. That’s not to say it’s a walkover
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FeaturesOpen mike: Early learning
If you care about school design, you’ve probably thrown up your hands in despair by now. But John Lyall is optimistic we can build on the achievements of recent years
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FeaturesCost model: Food retail
The combination of recession and increasing interest rates will result in reduced delivery of retail space over the next few years. This means food retailers must maximise existing assets, say Paul Zuccherelli and Ben McCafferty of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company
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FeaturesRefurb: Comparing Passivhaus and Decent Homes
The government’s target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 means that housebuilders need to implement changes, starting now. But with so many ways to reduce emissions in new and existing homes, how do you decide which regulations to follow?
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FeaturesArchitects and recession: Battered, bruised and broke
Architects have taken a beating over the past two years, but have they suffered any permanent damage? How are the UK’s top listed practices faring, and what impact is the recession having on design quality?
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FeaturesThe Midland Grand at London St Pancras: A touch of class
George Gilbert Scott’s Victorian gothic masterpiece, the Midland Grand at London St Pancras, is about to reopen as a five-star hotel after a painstaking restoration. The result is stunning
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FeaturesThe tracker: Cold comfort
Bad weather caused the market to contract in December and the ongoing downward trend could see firms reducing their headcount. Experian Marketing Information Services does the detail
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FeaturesRick Willmott: ‘Get ready for the recession’
Rick Willmott, head of Willmott Dixon, says the downturn has yet to really hurt the large contractors. And those that persist in bidding below cost are taking the biggest gamble
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Features
My digital life: Mark Taylor
Preferred means of communication?I’m afraid I’m rather analogue when it comes down to it – I prefer a good old fashioned conversation.What shall we play?Continuing the analogue theme Yahtzee is my favourite game - mainly because I can still beat the kids at it - which is more than can ...
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Features
Roofing battens
John Brash JB-RED roofing battens were used on BRE’s refurbishment of a Victorian stable block at its Garston site near Watford
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FeaturesLead times: Oct 2010 - Dec 2010
The overwhelming stability of lead times continues, and despite reports of busier order books from clients looking to reduce costs, the next six months look equally flat. Brian Moone of Mace reports
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FeaturesStandardised schools: Here’s one we made earlier
Thanks to a streamlined procurement and design process, councils can now choose a school from a brochure and get it delivered in just 13 months. Is this a revolution in the classroom
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FeaturesBattersea Power Station: The last chance
As the communities secretary stands poised to decide on the latest plan to restore Battersea Power Station, Emily Wright looks at why, this time, things have to be different
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FeaturesJohn Drew: The new power house
For years, John Drew has been best known as the architect who advised on the masterplan for Battersea Power Station. Now he’s joined forces with Jack Pringle and has a possible £300m worth of schemes on the horizon. Emily Wright finds him in bullish mood
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FeaturesWalthamstow stadium: A dog’s chance
The famous greyhound track has been mothballed for three years while housing association L&Q wrestles with local opposition to its plans to build 300 homes on the site. After a crunch meeting last week the two sides seem as far apart as ever. Is this a foretaste of the new ...
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FeaturesSpotlight: When contractors fail
The downturn has put many contractors out of business, says Brian Moone. What impact is this likely to have on project lead times?
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FeaturesFirst Impressions: BIG's 8 House
Three architecture students on Danish firm BIG’s 8 House scheme, a fresh take on urban living