Opinion – Page 274
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CommentMood grows gloomier among construction industry forecasters
The surge in work in 2010 and pessimism about private sector growth have contributed to downgrades in forecasts
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CommentAdvance payment guarantees: Meritz Fire and Marine Insurance vs Jan de Nul NV and Codralux SA
In this case the court looked at whether the advance payment guarantees that were the subject of the claim were performance bonds (otherwise known as demand guarantees) or pure guarantees.
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CommentStir Crazy: The 2011 Stirling Prize Shortlist
Few surprises on this year’s list, except one very big one.
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CommentS is for suspension, T is for termination of a contract
Want to wind up work on a job early? In the latest of our jargon-busting series Michael Conroy Harris explains how to go about suspending or terminating a contract
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CommentHansom: upping the stakes
You’ve got to innovate to stay ahead of the game, as demonstrated by this week’s super-size canapes, rowing on the roof of Selfridges and the fact I can now be found on Twitter …
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CommentQS mergers: Wedding's off
Up-against-it QS firms are hooking up with other companies, looking for global reach and diversification. But now really isn’t the right time to get hitched
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CommentWonders & blunders with Colin Morrell
Colin Morrell’s head is turned by a couple of office buildings, but while PwC’s HQ stands out for its design and sustainabilty, the Ark in Hammersmith should sink without trace
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CommentGreen retrofitting: Home help
The government’s aim to make housing greener is laudable, but imposing ever more stringent regulations won’t help. Linden Homes’ idea of a central fund for retrofitting may do
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Comment
Inbox: Worry not
What’s the best test?Regarding Rab Bennetts’ article (15 July, page 26), as an architect-turned-procurement-of-architects-specialist for a large software company, I am interested in seeing an example or a little more detail about the system for procuring architects that he would use to get a better qualitative assessment. He makes some ...
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CommentIt is possible to help SMEs and achieve budget cuts
Big contracts and small firms poses a quandary – but there is a model that shows how it can be done
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Comment… And in other news
Lots of government policy announcements this week – how will they affect you?
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CommentSchools PFI: we need to learn from past mistakes
We should welcome Gove’s announcement that upto 300 schools could be built using a model based on PFI, but we also need to be on our guard
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CommentArchitects and engineers workload flatlines in cash terms – suggesting pressure on jobs and pay
How will this affect the people in this very people-based profession?
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CommentEyewitness: Greece – it's a mess but there are chinks of light
In the second of our online series of first hand accounts from trouble spots around the world, we look at the impact of the Greek austerity measures on construction but also opportunities through funding options such as PPP
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CommentApparent bias in adjudication: Lanes Group vs Galliford Try Infrastructure
Can a preliminary views document lead to bias in an adjudication?
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CommentSchools of scandal
Our schools are in an urgent state of repair – let’s hope the government responds accordingly
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CommentUS foreclosure filings decline in first half of 2011, but the numbers are still scary
Should we be comforted by our housing market figures or more fearful, when we look a what’s happening across the Atlantic?
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CommentProcuring a design team: The art of not getting shafted
What’s the best way to choose a design team? Rigid scoring systems need to change if clients are to get the best balance between cost and quality