All articles by Thomas Lane – Page 26
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FeaturesA bad time to be a new idea: tried and tested innovations
With margins heading south, there has never been a more compelling case for doing things differently. The bad news is that trailblazing innovations can be expensive. Fortunately, as Thomas Lane reports, there are some pretty good ideas already out there …
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Comment
Welcome to Building's expert economists
Welcome to Buildings new economic panel. We have assembled a panel of experts to help make sense of these fast moving and uncertain economic times. They will regularly comment on economic developments as they unfold and give an insight into what these might mean whether it's and event as big ...
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FeaturesMake a wish: can Saudi Arabia make your dreams come true?
So, you want hundreds of billions of pounds of government-backed construction projects, and maybe a 30% pay rise too? Well, there’s one country that has untold riches beyond your wildest dreams. Thomas Lane braced himself and booked a flight
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FeaturesThe race to build Britain's nuclear reactors
Japanese-owned nuclear giant Westinghouse is in a race with France’s Areva for the UK’s £20bn nuclear reactor market. And it looks like it’s falling behind. We asked the man spearheading the bid if he was worried...
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FeaturesDon't sweat it: Arup's National Physical Laboratory
Building a laboratory where temperatures are controlled to the nearest 0.1ºC is scary enough. But when you have the added possibility of radiation leaks and you know the job finished off the last firm to try it, well, you could forgive Arup for being ‘a bit nervous’
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FeaturesUnderground, overground: the ICE award winners
From tunnels under the Thames to tree-top walks in Kew, London was the scene of some impressive feats of civil engineering in 2008. Yesterday, the ICE celebrated the best of them
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Features0-14 tower, Dubai: The hole story
It turns out it’s 1,326. But don’t let the whimsical appearance fool you – this is one of Dubai’s most technically advanced and ecologically efficient buildings
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FeaturesNo biomass, no turbines, no solar panels. Is Passivhaus the way to zero carbon?
The German Passivhaus standard is winning admirers in the UK, many of whom argue that its simple approach to low-energy building is far more practical than the Code for Sustainable Homes
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FeaturesA real life saver: Unicef's Malawi hospital
Unicef doesn’t usually spend money on buildings, but when the Alliance Ball raised £400k for its cause, an exception was made for this children’s hospital in Malawi. Thomas Lane found out what happened next
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FeaturesHard’s Time: a specialist going strong
One man definitely not looking to reinvent himself is Kevin Hard – his four-man specialist contracting outfit is still managing to double turnover every six months
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FeaturesBilbao's boat-inspired visitor centre: images
Mikel Landa liked the kayak he made so much that he decided to use the same form of construction when he built a visitor centre for the Añana salt valley in northern Spain
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FeaturesGlamorous address: Candy & Candy's One Hyde Park
Candy & Candy’s One Hyde Park is coming along quite nicely, thank you. Which is just as well, because when you’re spending £100m on an apartment, you do rather want the builders out of the way before you move in
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FeaturesIs Europe losing its nuclear construction skills?
Work has started on Europe’s third generation of nuclear power plants. Problem is, the firms building them are finding it much harder than expected – the Finnish plant in this picture is three years late. Thomas Lane finds out what this means for the UK’s own nuclear plans
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FeaturesHot wheels: Abu Dhabi's Ferrari theme park
The Ferrari theme park in Abu Dhabi has all the sleek lines, smooth curves and visual impact of the Italian super car, just on a mind-boggling scale.
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NewsThe Barratt code level six house, a guide
Here's a guide to the Sustainable Small Building of the Year at the Building Sustainability Awards 2008. It looks conventional enough on the outside, but you’re staring at the first Code for Sustainable Homes level six home to be built by a volume housebuilder. Inside it’s an all-out radical.
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NewsMilton Keynes levies carbon offset tax on new homes
Council plans to raise £800,000 a year from scheme to fund insulation of existing homes
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FeaturesFinal stretch: on site at the Burj Dubai
At 707m, the Burj Dubai is finally nearing its summit. But how do you go about building such a giant – and how do you ensure it doesn’t topple over in a high wind or an earthquake? Thomas Lane went on site at the world’s tallest tower
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NewsBRE says steel frame is fastest way to build homes
Research body compares steel, concrete, timber and brick to combat ‘inefficiency’ in industry
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FeaturesA lens on 3XN’s new Museum of Liverpool
There is just one thing about 3XN’s Museum of Liverpool on which everyone agrees: it will offer fabulous views of the Mersey. Thomas Lane looks at the construction challenges behind the city’s most controversial new structure.
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NewsWestfield London shopping centre gears up for opening
Over 7,500 workers are in a race to fit-out 300 shops and restaurants before the 30 October opening