More Focus – Page 291
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FeaturesLondon is for losers
The streets aren’t paved with gold – at least no more than anywhere else. Take note of the Building/Hays Construction annual salary guide and head for the North.
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FeaturesCountry focus: Hungary
The Hungarian economy is struggling with a budget deficit and low growth, but with the offices and retail markets set to soar, the future is bright. Tibor Stahl and Judit Rohonyi of EC Harris report
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FeaturesCrossrail starts here
Eighteen years after the idea of a rail line running east to west through London was mooted, all that has actually been done is to dig this large hole. But, as Gordon Brown prepares to announce a funding strategy in his conference speech next week, that may be about to ...
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FeaturesFolkestone, mon amour
Source: Christian Nolle Roger de Haan, the former chairman of Saga, has found a new lease of life as the enlightened urban regenerator of his home town of Folkestone.
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Features
Would you have taken your money out of Northern Rock?
Do you agree with the thousands withdrawing their savings from the embattled bank?
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FeaturesThe men who got left behind
Increased public sector spending was supposed to be great news for construction firms. But, according to a survey released this week, these local contractors have missed out on the bonanza. Katie Puckett finds out why the growth of framework agreements is threatening the industry’s smaller businesses
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Features‘Someone might come in wearing polka dot socks that I don’t like and I think, oh dear, but they might produce brilliant buildings’
Derwent London’s Simon Silver likes to champion exciting young architects. And now that the developer has doubled its portfolio, he can offer them bigger commissions than ever before. Just get a little sartorial advice before you make your pitch.
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FeaturesGlenn Howells: Almost famous
Robert Plant, Ozzy Osbourne, Noddy Holder … the Midlands has produced its fair share of rock stars. Sadly, frustrated musician Glenn Howells wasn’t one of them. But now, with a Stirling prize nomination to his name, the Birmingham architect is about to get his turn in the limelight.
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FeaturesProcurement: Target price contracts
In today’s overheated market, clients need all the help they can get to deliver good-value, low-risk projects. Some clients are turning to collaborative working – and contracts such as the NEC – to provide an extra incentive. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon examines the issues
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FeaturesThe writing’s on the wall
Two neighbouring sixties council estates in north London. One is the best kept estate in the district. The other is in total disrepair, blighted by crime and, much to residents’ relief, being torn down. To find out what can be learned for the latest wave of high-density inner-city housing developments, ...
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FeaturesBiggest ever sail
More than 3,000 amateur sailors descended on the Isle of Wight for the Little Britain Challenge Cup last week. Alex Smith packed his best Hawaiian shirt and joined in the fun
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FeaturesIs Peter Hain right to be focusing so strongly on safety at housing and refurb sites?
Or do other sectors of the industry deserve an overhaul?
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FeaturesDoors that can withstand a 100kg bomb
Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies has developed a range of bomb-rated automatic doors that have been tested with a 100kg TNT explosion at 25m and 45m ranges.
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FeaturesOpen door policy
Door and window controls company Geze was founded in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1863. Since then, it has expanded and now has subsidiaries in 23 countries, including the UK, and more than 150 sales offices around the world.
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FeaturesWords from the deep
How they made it When he’s not floating around with a snorkel in his mouth, Stephen Stone is chief executive at housebuilder Crest Nicholson. He tells Lucy Handley how he rose to the top
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FeaturesEngland vs the World
Today’s construction offices are brimming with people from the world’s rugby-playing nations – which makes the ancient pastime of riling your workmate over a game so much more fun. With the Rugby World Cup kicking off tonight, England fan Tom Williams gives his tips on how to rib the opposition
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Features‘Imagine that you are on level 80 and you want a sandwich. How long will that take you?’
… and other logistical nightmares that might arise when you start building the tallest skyscraper in western Europe between a train station, a bus station, several busy roads and a hospital. Thomas Lane watches work finally get started on the Shard
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FeaturesIn the frame
Doors and windows Until recently, relatively few specifiers chose wood over PVCu for their windows. But, as Eleanor Cochrane reports, the arguments are now going timber’s way
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FeaturesCasement window
Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems has launched a casement window system, Comar 5P.i ECO, which it claims exceeds the requirements of the weather-tightness test in BS 6375.