More Focus – Page 269
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FeaturesThe line of duty – Tim Laurence, Defence Estates
Tim Laurence has commanded warships, sailed the world and held top positions in the government. But taking the helm at Defence Estates is perhaps his greatest challenge.
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FeaturesWe did it our way - Charettes
Charrettes are the new face of collaborative planning, bringing together artists, architects and town planners to thrash out a development plan for an area. But do they work?
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FeaturesKeeping it in the family – Construction dynasties
When family-run businesses are handed down from one generation to another, all manner of issues come into play, not least of which is ownership. Roxane McMeeken looks at how to keep a construction dynasty going
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FeaturesRochester prison reuses materials for new road
Wates uses materials from demolished buildings to construct car park and on-site roads
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Features'Cut and fill' at Rochester young offenders prison
Wates recycles existing spoil at the Rochester Temporary Custodial facility to optimise difference in gradient
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FeaturesHow is that possible?: Beijing’s CCTV Tower
Arup and OMA’s gravity-defying overhang on China’s television headquarters had to be joined without the legs toppling over. Stuart Macdonald reports on the surprisingly simple solution
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FeaturesThe road to recovery: Rebuilding after China’s earthquake
British engineering and construction firms are on the front line of China’s efforts to repair the devastation left by May’s earthquake. Stuart Macdonald reports
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FeaturesThe best china: 10 of the most spectacular new Chinese buildings
Even without the Olympics China is producing some of the finest architecture on the planet – with a little help from the Brits. Martin Spring chooses 10 of the best
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FeaturesThe alternatives: Interactive facades
Here are three alternative facade systems to bring your buildings to life
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FeaturesThe only way is up: China’s airport building programme
China will spend £44bn on airports in the next five years and there is plenty of opportunity for British firms to get in on the aviation action. Victoria Madine explains what it takes to break into the market
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FeaturesCauses of failure: Profiled sheeting
Corrugated steel sheets are more sophisticated than ever, and used in everything from schools and museums to hospitals. But Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans discovers things can go wrong
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Is China’s boom over?
With Olympic-driven development about to end and inflation rising, is growth going to slow?John Ward of the Centre for Economics and Business Research analyses the macroeconomic picture, and overleaf EC Harris looks at the recent past and likely future of construction in the People’s Republic
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FeaturesChina in detail
Rising inflation is forcing the Chinese government to restrict foreign investment in development, but strong – albeit slightly slower – economic growth is bound to continue. Investors who are patient and flexible will be rewarded, says Simon Baxter of EC Harris
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FeaturesThe man with the toughest job in construction
So what’s it like having most of the weight of the Beijing Olympics resting delicately on your shoulders? Stuart Macdonald asked Arup’s Michael Kwok, who ought to know
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FeaturesOne hot bird
More than just a stadium, the Bird’s Nest will be a permanent attraction, says Mark Whitby
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FeaturesRace to the finishing line
As Beijing rushes to complete its Olympic venues Graham Watts asks how impressive they are
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FeaturesHow we designed the water cube
The design process for this building was, in my experience, unparalleled.
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FeaturesSolar-powered LED cladding: Great wall of China
Beijing’s ‘media wall’ brings to life Simone Giostra’s concept of a narrative facade. Stephen Kennett looks at how this unique, decade-in-the-making concept merges art and artifice onto one illuminated electronic showstopper
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FeaturesSandwich panel facades
This sandwich wall facade by Hunter Douglas was used on an extension to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
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Features
Ceramic facade panels
Shackerley is extending its ventilated rainscreen offerings with a range of terracotta and unglazed ceramic tiles.