All articles by Thomas Lane – Page 23
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FeaturesKazakhstan: Building the world's largest tent
In the capital of Kazakhstan, Buro Happold, Foster + Partners and developer Sembol have built the world’s largest tent. And their heroic attempts to heave that 90m mast upright are enough to make fair-weather campers weep
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CommentFoster opens up a bright spot in Kazakhstan
This distant cousin of the UK’s Millennium Dome should meet more appreciation from the locals
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Features2012 countdown: The aquatics centre
Since the aquatics centre’s 160m-long roof was lowered into place last year, work on the Zaha Hadid-designed venue has continued to power ahead
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Features2012 countdown: The velodrome
The plan with the velodrome was to make it as lean as a racing bike, says Chris Wise, one of its designers
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FeaturesAldar’s Abu Dhabi HQ: One last spin of the wheel
Aldar’s Abu Dhabi headquarters is one of the final feats of jaw-dropping construction machismo we’ll see from the UAE for a while, says Thomas Lane. And it gives us plenty of reasons to mourn their passing …
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FeaturesIn pictures: Low-profile living
This New Forest residence makes a minimal impact on the environment and the view. Of course, that doesn’t have to mean going without a swimming pool. Thomas Lane goes down to the woods to investigate
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CommentNew government, new regs?
As in previous years, the flow of green legislation seems unstoppable. There is, however, a new government, which begs the question: “What is it going to do with the zero-carbon agenda that was the brainchild of the Labour government?”
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FeaturesEmbodied energy: The next big carbon challenge
Reducing the amount of embodied energy in building materials won’t be easy – but it’s essential
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FeaturesThe big brother houses: monitoring residents' energy use
Housebuilders can specify all the green technology they want, but what happens when human beings get left in charge of the thermostat? Buro Happold installed sensors to find out, then told Thomas Lane what they discovered
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FeaturesUpgrading old windows: Old panes, new gains
Improving the performance of old windows is a key part of the strategy to upgrade the UK’s inefficient building stock. But how best to go about it? Thomas Lane made inquiries
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NewsTalks to begin over code level seven
The communities department is planning talks with volume housebuilders about adding another, more demanding level to the Code for Sustainable Homes
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CommentThe 2010 Building Awards: Projects shortlist showcase
Hard not to have a wiggle in your walk when you see the cornucopia of building projects shortlisted for the 2010 Building Awards
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FeaturesThe 2010 Building Awards: Public projects shortlist showcase
Hard not to have a wiggle in your walk when you see the cornucopia of building projects shortlisted for the 2010 Building Awards
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FeaturesPreventing a pile-up
Transport infrastructure spending seems to be one of construction’s good news stories. According to Davis Langdon, there has been 10% growth in real terms
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CommentInsurance: Are you prepared to take the risk?
Insurers say they are suffering disproportionate losses from buildings built using modern construction methods. Unless the industry acts, says Thomas Lane, they may pull cover
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CommentTimber frame insurance controversy: Building responds
We’ve had quite a response to our story on insurers threatening to pull cover on timber frame buildings, here's the gist of it...
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NewsInsurers threaten to pull cover for timber frame
Companies including Aviva and Axa warn that modern construction method has too high a fire risk
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FeaturesBack to the floor: Factory Records is reborn as a nightclub
Factory Records, the legendary Manchester label, has been reborn as a nightclub. Thomas Lane nips in ahead of the crowds
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FeaturesCivil stars: ICE’s London award winners
Civil engineering may not be the most glamorous profession but the ICE’s London awards give its brightest and best their moment in the limelight. Thomas Lane takes a look at the winners
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FeaturesThe two-year rush hour: London’s Park Plaza hotel
Park Plaza has built a 1,000-bedroom hotel and conference centre in the middle of one of London’s noisiest roundabouts. But it was delivering the project in just 24 months that kept the construction team suitably stressed