All Building articles in 1999 Issue 07

View all stories from this issue.

  • Features

    Tower of strength

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    A Liverpool housing trust has found a cheap way to stop brick cladding on high rises from collapsing. So why isn't everyone using polyurethane foam?

  • Features

    When sleep is at a premium

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Last week, Dominic Helps welcomed new legal cost insurance that protects against a worst-case scenario. It can help you get a good night's sleep if you can afford it.

  • Features

    Merger mania

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    When HBG Construction was formed, three bespoke IT set-ups had to be integrated. How did IT services director Martin Brunning ensure that all systems were go?

  • Features

    Happy hunting

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Vivienne Packer of construction and property headhunter Alexander Hughes tells Nancy Cavill how to get noticed and what to do when you get the call.

  • Features

    Keep it going

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Sustainable construction is not to be dismissed as flavour of the month . It is the shape of things to come and, particularly in relation to energy consumption, is set to have a major impact on procurement practices.

  • Features

    Restoration drama

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Post-bomb repairs have been carried out on Manchester's Edwardian cotton exchange. Its elaborate foyer makes a grand front-of-house area for the theatre module within it.

  • News

    Planners reject Farrell's York design

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Public objections lead officials to refuse permission for architect's £60m flagship scheme to extend Coppergate shopping centre.

  • Features

    Who dares wins

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    A planned construction spend of £3.6bn makes the Ministry of Defence a client worth courting, but contractors must meet exacting standards or face tough penalties.

  • Features

    Cost update

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    This analysis of building costs shows materials prices falling slightly but labour rates rising markedly. Drylining prices and electricians' rates are also highlighted in this quarter's report.

  • News

    Railtrack tells contractors to improve safety

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Railtrack has ordered rail contractors to improve safety procedures after an increase in rail construction accidents. Railtrack operations director Chris Leah has written to contractors warning that it intends to tighten supervision of working practices. The latest Railtrack group safety survey reports an 18% increase in accidents involving maintenance gangs ...

  • News

    'Landmark' collapse will haunt contractor

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    The outcome of the tunnelling case has dealt Balfour Beatty's reputation a severe blow. Civil engineering sources said the contractor was likely to face tough scrutiny when trying to prequalify for future tunnelling work. Balfour Beatty refused to say whether it was considering an appeal. A company statement said: "The ...

  • Features

    Luther Cochrane

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Sir Frank Lampl's anointed successor at Bovis on his new role, plans for the firm after those merger talks and the joys of being a dad.

  • Features

    Limited clarification on TUPE

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    When can an employer change employees' terms and conditions of employment following a TUPE transfer? The answer remains hazy.

  • News

    Prescott declares war on cheapskate clients

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Deputy prime minister to write to Cabinet and local councils to raise public sector procurement standards.

  • Comment

    Loose change

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    First person Construction is embracing change. So why is one industry body opposing a move to streamline the building process?

  • News

    Call for greener office laws

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Legislation is the only way to force commercial clients into building green offices, a top quantity surveyor said last week. Speaking at the British Council for Offices' Greening Commercial Property conference, Davis Langdon & Everest senior partner Paul Morrell said: "Most people are building for profit. There is no commercial ...

  • Comment

    Passing the buck

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Second opinion Delegating a problem is all very well, but, at some point, you must take responsibility for its solution.

  • News

    Morgan Sindall overcomes profit blip

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Teething problems at unnamed regional business do not take shine off strong set of results.

  • News

    Contracting is 'waste of time', says Birse chief

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Chairman complains of overcapacity, cut-throat tendering and low margins as firm reports £1.8m loss.

  • News

    Birse: Fairies tactic was good business

    1999-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Peter Birse insisted that his attempts to reinvent the company have done it good, despite a decline in Birse's fortunes last year. Birse's transformation from a contractor with a reputation for playing hard to a new-age business has attracted a huge amount of publicity. In June 1997, the chairman publicly ...