More Focus – Page 324
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FeaturesThinking outside the box
Steve Small is contracts manager at Higgins Construction. He joined the company four years ago after 10 years with Wilmot Dixon. His experience spans both traditional construction and off-site methods. He is currently working on Cambourne Village in Cambridgeshire, a social housing scheme spread over 11 sites
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FeaturesTaking the world by storm
As the world embraces off-site construction, Andy King, operations director of Mtech Consult, looks at the opportunities and pitfalls awaiting those imaginative enough to shop overseas
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Features
Looking for unity
While the use of off-site construction is growing steadily, the demand for innovation is bringing pressure for greater integration and certification. Charles Westbrook, R&D director of Mtech Consult, reports
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FeaturesSpreading the word
Saba Salman looks at the key reports to influence the growing use of modern methods of construction
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FeaturesMove into the mainstream
Modern methods of construction are accepted as useful tools, but it’s time to step up a gear. Martin goss, group technical director at mtech, argues for early project involvement
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FeaturesSecond sight
Off-site construction has proved itself when it comes to speedy and cost effective building, but how does it look a year or two down the line? Graham Ridout went back to three key projects to see how they are standing the test of time
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Features
Balfour Beatty cements its dominance of UK contracting
Scottish company completes triple in contracting league tables
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FeaturesThe subtle art of regime change
New construction chiefs seeking to stamp their authority on a firm by overhauling it do so at their peril. Staff can be alienated as much as inspired, quite apart from what the outgoing boss thinks …
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FeaturesCalatrava swoops on Belgium
The architect–engineer is topping a Liège train station with yet another astonishing roof
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FeaturesBlair’s last lap
With Tony Blair fast running out of time to tackle the policy issues of central concern to the construction industry, Building spoke to 10 of its leading figures to see what they want from Blair before he goes. Or will it be left to Gordon Brown to take the baton ...
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FeaturesA 2bn student village in a bullet-proof vest
Construction of the first entire garrison to be built in 100 years is being marshalled with the same discipline and tactical precision needed in times of war.
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FeaturesMorriss ignites SPPARC
SME focus — Maverick boss’ methods boost turnover from £400,000 to £1.8m in four years
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FeaturesFrankenstein’s mentor
There is nothing to fear, the monster on the right is an amalgam of the qualities you should look for in a mentor. Katie Puckett explains how he was put together.
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FeaturesWhole-life costs: Basements
In this quarter’s comparison of whole-life costs, David Weight of Currie & Brown digs deep into the financial pros and cons of adding a basement or half-basement to your building
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FeaturesDown on the farm
Sonia Soltani reports on how a York council building is demonstrating the eco-credentials of an unlikely building material … straw
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FeaturesWhat to specify: 100% Detail 100% Design
Specifiers hunting for the latest in eco-friendly design should check out 100% Detail and 100% Design, on now at London’s Earls Court. You can also find out about sustainable products right here, including a cost-effective wind turbine and a bathroom water-saving device
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FeaturesWhat it costs: photovoltaics
Photovoltaics may help reduce energy costs, as well as cutting CO2 emissions. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans looks at the options and whole-life costs of PV systems
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FeaturesLhoist UK: In the lime light
Lhoist UK produces building lime and hemp lime products, and is benefiting from the new Part L and public awareness of environmental issues.
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FeaturesSolarcentury: A sunny outlook
London-based Solarcentury has worked on its most challenging project to date, installing photovoltaic panels at the CIS Tower in Manchester. But it warns more must be done to give companies an incentive to support sustainable solutions