More news – Page 3792
-
-
Features
Koolhaas strikes again
For his latest trick, a £70m Portuguese concert hall, Rem Koolhaas has subverted the earnest business of concertgoing with another masterpiece of architectural surrealism
-
CommentShow me the money
We kick off this Construction Act review special by asking why the DTI’s consultation document does not properly address subcontractors’ right to get hold of their cash
-
CommentAway with the fairies
The DTI thinks that, with a sprinkling of fairy dust, adjudicators can rewrite laws and be made impartial. Believe that, and you might as well believe in Tinkerbell
-
Comment
What the review missed
Concerns about the statutory payment and adjudication provisions in the Construction Act are well founded, but the review fails to deal with all of them head on
-
CommentWhen less isn’t more
When it comes to reforming the Construction Act, the instinct to resist meddling is correct in many cases, but has done nothing to address a major failing
-
FeaturesHow to get out of jail using a trowel
Inmates at Wandsworth are being given the chance to escape from a life of crime by building their own prison walls.
-
FeaturesThe dragon tamed
Nearing completion, on time and close to budget, the Welsh assembly in Cardiff has managed to avoid the excesses of the Scottish parliament. But this welcome result belies an arduous, epic journey that involved the client ditching its original procurement route as costs started to escalate …
-
CommentThere, there
The proposed European services directive has been dubbed Bolkestein’s Monster. But it’s not that terrifying, if you’ll all just calm down and read the small print
-
FeaturesJoined-up thinking
In an age of ingenious designs, bridges have become the latest must-have commission for architects. Fortunately, engineers seem happy to share the plaudits with their new colleagues. Here, we look at the stunning results of architect Hakes Associates and engineer Buro Happold’s joint venture
-
Comment
Blockbuster
Hats off to English Partnerships. I was delighted to read your confirmation that the agency is opening up the £60,000 house competition to all methods of construction, including brick and block (18 March, page 22).
-
Comment
Violence is the answer
The Safe Crackers debate (11 March, page 36) highlighted the difficulties of getting clients and designers to buy into and comply with their obligations under the CDM regulations.
-
Comment
Between JCT and reality
Malcolm Taylor (24 March, Letters, page 34) supports the JCT provisions on practical completion and partial possession and disagrees with my comments on these clauses (“A hard way to earn £2”, 11 March, page 60).
-
Comment
A policy of caution
A recent survey conducted by the Association of British Insurers will come as welcome news to those businesses that have been hit by the spiralling costs of obtaining professional indemnity cover.
-
Comment
Moments of truth
James Bessey’s comments on the Great Eastern Hotel vs Laing case (11 March, page 46) rightly remind us of the risk of an independent expert appearing to turn advocate.
-
Comment
An anglocentricismophobe writes
I recently took a little time out from tending my croft and drowning my sorrows after another Calcutta Cup defeat to read Building.
-
Comment
Survival first
Holism seems to have become such an unholy grail in human behaviour that it was with some pleasure that I read David Bucknall’s “In for the duration” (18 March, page 37).
-
Comment
Scots miffed
“You can't get that passionate about training” (24 March, Leader, page 3)? Really! Again I find myself having to state the Scottish position regarding apprenticeships and training within the construction industry. We are different - and those differences produce results, which indicate we are also successful.
-
News
Multiplex plans to crack open concrete sector
Contractor to sign framework-style deal with major concrete supplier and increase capacity of a smaller firm
-
NewsCivic minded
The Brindley Arts Centre in Runcorn, Cheshire, was one of 82 winners of the Civic Trust Awards, which were announced this week.