Thomas Lane Editorial
Building
Responsible for the projects section which covers architecture and technical. This includes regulations, sustainability, innovation and best practice. Thomas also looks after the economics section of the magazine.
Stories by this contributor.
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The Mary Rose museum: Hidden treasure
18 May 2012
The Mary Rose museum is ready for fit-out but to get to this point the contractor had to build around the ancient hull, keeping it at a constant temperature to allow restoration to be uninterrrupted. Thomas Lane found out how the team handled an historic gem
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A trip to the top: What is the Orbit like?
11 May 12
Britain’s tallest and most controversial sculpture, the Orbit was unveiled today on the Olympic Park. What is it like?
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Offshore wind farms: Winds of change
04 May 2012
Tidal turbine technology is changing fast and offshore wind turbines are getting bigger, so the government-backed firm Narec is investing £80m into its testing facilities to simulate the harsh conditions at sea. Thomas Lane explains
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Housing ventilation: Bit of an air con
20 April 2012
In the race to build ever more airtight homes, it appears that housebuilders are sacrificing air quality, with some 95% of new dwellings failing Part F ventilation standards
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95% of homes fail to meet ventilation requirements
20 April 2012
Rise in airtight homes prompts increase in mechanical systems
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Kingspan insulation collection scheme: Waste away
05 April 2012
Kingspan has piloted an insulation collection scheme in Dudley that aims to help contractors edge closer to their zero-waste-to-landfill targets
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Designing a dancefloor: Ramboll's new moves
23 March 2012
When Ramboll was faced with the problem of designing a lightweight, long-span floor capable of withstanding the combined weight of a school dance class, it needed to come up with some exciting new moves … Building reports
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France's nuclear fusion reactor: The hottest and coldest place on earth
23 March 2012
Building goes on the trail of the ITER - a £12.5bn multinational project that might just save the world …
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Best supporting acts: The ICE awards
09 March 2012
Beneath Londoners’ feet, on their roads and in their stations, the city is undergoing arguably its biggest transformation since the Victorian age. The ICE awards, held last week, celebrated the cream of this current wave of infrastructure projects. Thomas Lane rounds up the winners
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The future's green
Ecobuild
This year’s Ecobuild is the biggest so far and the green agenda is more relevant than ever
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From 1900 to 2012: Finishing the University of Birmingham
17 February 2012
Aston Webb’s grand semi-circle of buildings conceived for Birmingham university in 1900 was the original redbrick campus. But only four of its five neo-Byzantine pavilions were ever built. Now Glenn Howells Architects and Bam have finished the job. Building reports
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Raindrops keep falling: The Oxford Natural History Museum's leaking roof
13 January 2012
The Oxford Natural History Museum has been plagued by water dripping through its roof since its completion but after years of buckets and botched jobs one architect has finally solved the problem. Building finds out how you fix a 154-year-old leak
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Government poised to backtrack on Part L
16 December 2011
Consultation expected to water down carbon reduction targets
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Projects of 2011
16 December 2011
Arts-led regeneration projects, rail upgrades, Olympic venues, luxury flats and an opulently refurbished hotel all defied the downturn. Thomas Lane and Ike Ijeh revisit some of the splendours
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A lot to live up to: Building houses that meet predicted energy use
09 December 2011
The gap between a house’s predicted energy use and actual performance has been comprehensively panned. Building meets three developers who reckon their projects will show that low carbon on paper can mean low carbon in practice
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Farringdon station overhaul: Boring? If only!
09 December 2011
London’s Farringdon station has been given an overhaul and is ready for more passengers, bigger trains and Crossrail. But it hasn’t been an easy ride - and digging a 140m tunnel by hand was the least of it. By Thomas Lane. Photography by Colin Streater
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Timber frame industry tackles fire safety
02 December 2011
UK Timber Frame Association and HSE have joined forces to promote more fire resistant time frame systems
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Hydropower: Water works
02 December 2011
With all the controversy over solar, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that hydropower produces a thousand times more electricity. Building investigates a power source that could light up the industry
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Quadruple glazing: Fancy a fourth layer?
25 November 2011
It’s winter and our thoughts turn to keeping warm by any means necessary. Is quadruple glazing the solution? Thomas Lane peeks out from behind his curtains to ask the experts
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Arup to open BIM consultancy in UK
8 Nov 11
Engineering giant has been offering BIM services in Australia for 12 months
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The rise of the BIM consultant
04 November 2011
With its clear government backing and success stories in the press, construction firms realise that BIM is a Very Important Thing. The question is, how to do it? Thomas Lane meets the new wave of BIM consultants who may have the answer
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Cladding: Facing the future
28 October 2011
The cladding market is being tested by the influx of new regulations and cost pressures. The good news is that facades can now be designed on a more human scale, says Stephen Ledbetter, director of the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology
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Free school conversions: Making the switch
28 October 2011
The government went out of its way to make it easier for free schools to be formed in non-school buildings by easing planning laws. So now that they’ve opened their doors, do they actually work? Take a look at two very different conversions…
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Laing O'Rourke and Atkins' standardised school: How's this for smart?
14 October 2011
Standardised doesn’t have to mean inflexible design - that’s the message from Laing O’Rourke and Atkins with their clever solution to cutting school building costs. Building reports on the surprising versatility of concrete
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Zero carbon housing using underfloor thermal heat stores
14 October 2011
When you’ve got houses and flats on a tiny plot, no room to store fuel and little roof space, finding a zero-carbon heating solution is tricky. One team went underground to find the answer
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Civil engineers launch 2012 London Engineering Awards
6 Oct 11
The ICE are inviting entries for 2012 awards celebrating engineering excellence in London
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Deptford: Mixed to the max
30 September 2011
On a single 7,000m2 site in Deptford, architect Pollard Thomas Edwards has managed to fit a community centre, artists’ studios, flats, a school and two playgrounds. Building finds out how
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The ArcelorMittal Orbit: Twist and shout
30 September 2011
The ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Olympic park is being built to ‘arouse the curiosity and wonder of Londoners’. And the most curious thing of all is how this spiralling confusion of red steel actually stands up
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BRE Group chairman Martin Wyatt steps down
23 September 2011
Move will happen in January
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Rafael Viñoly's Firstsite centre: show time
23 September 2011
Rafael Viñoly’s latest UK building finally takes centre stage, but why was it nearly undone by delays, overspends and legal spats? Thomas Lane reports, while below Ike Ijeh asks if it was worth all the pain
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Only 31 homes reach code level 6
02 September 2011
However, 29,205 homes have been completed to level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes
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Tall building design: Is it safe?
02 September 2011
Ten years ago the world watched two of New York’s most iconic towers come crashing to the ground. Since then the industry has changed the way tall buildings are built in an attempt to make them terror proof. Building takes a look
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BRE signs deal for innovation park in Brazil
12 August 2011
Scheme should help win work for UK companies
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Top of the class: Passivhaus school design
12 August 2011
A primary school in Exeter won’t win any architectural awards, but is earning gold stars in zero-carbon and Passivhaus design. Thomas Lane swots up on how to deliver a low-energy building on a budget
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Brettstapel envelope: The natural choice
12 August 2011
Getting planning permission to build a house in the stunning Scottish Borders requires a sensitive design, which is why architect Gaia specified a wooden Brettstapel envelope for this project
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Beach volleyball stars distract Cameron from quelling riots
11 Aug 11
Volleyball replaced the mob in central London this week as Olympic organisers shifted tonnes of Surrey sand to Horseguards Parade
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Post occupancy: Is your green makeover really so green?
05 August 2011
Do low energy buildings really deliver results? Last month, Thomas Lane found two new-build offices that failed to live up to all their green credentials. Here, he reveals if two refurbished offices performed any better
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UKTFA alleges timber frame report is biased
29 July 2011
The UKTFA is calling for the report by lobbying body RISCAuthority to be withdrawn
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BIM - the inside story
29 July 2011
In recent weeks we’ve heard all about BIM - its advantages, the sharing principle, the downfalls,the training needed and the cost, but what does it all actually mean? Thomas Lane follows one BIMed-up project from beginning to end
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10 ways to make your office outstanding (in BREEAM’s eyes, at least)
15 July 2011
These days the corporate world is falling over itself to improve its environmental credentials. Thomas Lane takes a look at the newest, greenest, office building on the block and finds out how your office can be ’outstanding’ too
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Lafarge sells 80% of its gypsum business
14 Jul 11
Sale generates cash for construction products giant and allows it to retain stake in gypsum business
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Better building services the key to making non-domestic buildings zero carbon
11 Jul 11
New report suggests there is no point in making building fabric performance tougher than current standards
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Council calls for fruit and nut tree audit as condition of planning
08 July 2011
Firms operating in Brighton and Hove must also submit embodied energy calcuations
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Case studies: houses built to 2016 zero-carbon standards
08 July 2011
The government’s recent announcement that ’zero-carbon homes’ need not include appliances will allow future green housing to ditch peculiar solar panel-toting designs to resemble, well, normal houses. Building tours some schemes that fit the bill
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Failing eco-buildings: how to tackle the gas guzzlers
01 July 2011
Post-occupancy evaluations show our buildings are not as green as design predictions – something needs to change
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Hub finalises zero carbon definition
01 July 2011
Proposals will see developers and contractors compete to offer carbon reduction schemes
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Post occupancy: Is your building really so green?
01 July 2011
How do low-energy buildings perform? The best way to find out is to test them once they’ve been used. In the first of two articles, Thomas Lane reveals whether two new offices lived up to their promises
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Toulouse School of Economics: An education
01 July 2011
How do you get lots of natural light into a university building without it getting too hot? Thomas Lane finds out how to shut out the sultry Toulouse sun using medieval building materials and fresh air
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Eco-homes from the 1970s meet 2016 zero carbon targets
30 Jun 11
Pioneering council scheme in Salford uses a quarter of the heating energy of a typical UK home, study reveals
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BIM Academy launched by Ryder Architecture
22 Jun 11
New academy launched to promote collaboration using building information modelling
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Software tool to automate BREEAM assessements
21 Jun 11
Software specialist Integrated Environmental Solutions adds a BREEAM calculation tool to its building energy design package
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King's Cross station's £500m redevelopment: King of King's
17 June 2011
King’s Cross station was long ago toppled from its architectural throne by neighbouring St Pancras. But a £500m refurbishment is about to make it a terminus worthy of the people
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Tesco's green specification process: Every little helps
03 June 2011
Supermarkets don’t like to be beaten on price - or on their environmental credentials. To get ahead of the competition, Tesco is now testing every bit of green kit it can lay its hands on to build zero-carbon stores. Building reports on the savings
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A path to zero carbon?
27 May 2011
Welcome to this year’s guide to codes and regulations, including Part L, energy research projects and innovative products
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Movers and makers: roofing
27 May 2011
This week’s news from roofing manufacturers
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Regs round-up
27 May 2011
A whole alphabet of regulations may be changed soon, as the government aims to tighten up energy efficiency, while not overburdening businesses. It’s already rewritten the definition of zero carbon. Here’s what’s in force and what’s coming up
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The shape of Scunthorpe
27 May 2011
Scunthorpe leisure centre rises from the landscape as a series of interlinked domes, more in number than the Eden Project. We find out how you specify roofing for such a complex project, where nearly every element is unique
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The Shard: London's tallest building
27 May 2011
Londoners have hardly been able to believe their eyes as the capital’s tallest building has shot up in front of them at dizzying speed. Building braves icy winds to report on an engineering triumph
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Q & A with AKII – Structurally sound
13 May 2011
The downturn, increasing materials prices and regulatory changes are all having an impact on structural engineers. Building asks Paul Scott, a director at structural engineering practice, AKT II, how the sector is holding up
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Skanska slides 1,200-tonne Thameslink bridge into position
3 May 11
Rail bridge over Borough High Street will double capacity of track around London Bridge
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Artful entrance: the Modern Art Oxford gallery
21 April 2011
GEZE’s sliding door system has been specified for the first time in the UK
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Thermal improvements
21 April 2011
Kawneer has enhanced the thermal performance of a series of its doors and windows
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Eco windows
21 April 2011
Eurocell’s new window frame is made from recycled PVC-U
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Feeling the heat: Fire door specification
21 April 2011
Incorrectly specified fire doors could, at worst, cost lives. Now a landmark legal case could mean that it’s the contractor and specifier who will end up in court.
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Folding aluminium doors
21 April 2011
Schueco’s door system is suitable for a range of applications including residential, commercial and retail
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Movers and makers: Doors and windows
21 April 2011
This week’s news from doors and windows manufacturers
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Panelled doors
21 April 2011
Longden’s doorset has a raised and fielded panel
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Passivhaus window
21 April 2011
The Green Building Store has added a Passivhaus certified window to its range of products
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Smooth or intricate door knobs
21 April 2011
Samuel Heath and Sons have added two centre door knobs to its brassware collections
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Wind-proof door
21 April 2011
Dorma’s swing door compensates for varying wind conditions
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Quiet plumbing
15 April 2011
The Marley dBlue system attenuates the noise generated by water flowing through pipes
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Combination boiler
15 April 2011
The Logic Code Combi recovers heat from the flue to preheat direct hot water
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Small space ventilation
15 April 2011
Airflow has launched a ventilation fan called iCON eco15, suitable for bathrooms, toilets and small rooms without windows.
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Airtight pipe sleeves
15 April 2011
New company ATK has brought out a range of kits that are designed to improve airtightness where pipes pass through a building’s fabric. Called Airtightkit, the product is a sleeve that fits around the pipe where it interfaces with the cladding and provides an airtight seal. It consists of a flanged ABS sleeve that fits over the pipe and is screwed to the wall. A rubber gasket fitted between the flange and the wall provides the seal along with glue that fixes the sleeve to the pipe. The
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Heating and cooling pump
15 April 2011
Daikin’s heating and cooling pump is intended for residential and small commercial applications
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High efficiency boiler
15 April 2011
An Ariston boiler and unvented water cylinder have been installed in a flat in Brighton
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High pressure sockets
15 April 2011
The Masterseal Plus outdoor sockets can withstand high pressure water jets
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Multifit drainage
15 April 2011
Brett Martin;s multifit drainage fittings work with other manufacturers’ products
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Showervalves
15 April 2011
Shower product maker Roman has brought out a range of shower valves offering 17 different options. These include concealed, semi-concealed and exposed designs, hand showers and a choice of shower heads. The company said the valves were designed to be easily installed with a safety stop at 38°C and an instant cut off in the event of hot or cold water supply failure. The company has also developed a range of frameless wet room panels. These are recessed into the wall on one side and are support
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Tall toilets
15 April 2011
Impulse Bathrooms has launched a range of WC pans and washbasins for taller people.
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The London Bridge viaduct: The missing link
15 April 2011
A railway viaduct is being built through the heart of London’s bustling Borough Market and in two weeks its new bridge will be a major landmark. All that remains is to move it to the right place
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Active chilled beam
08 April 2011
Trox has launched an active chilled beam that it says is suitable for new or existing buildings with low ceilings
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Iron protection
08 April 2011
Hargreaves Foundry has supplied bespoke and off the shelf cast iron rainwater goods as part of the refurbishment of the grade II-listed University House, part of the University of East London.
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Noise-absorbing ceilings
08 April 2011
Armstrong Ceilings has brought out a range of noise absorbing wall-mounted panels called AlphaClass Frames.
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Paint formulation change
08 April 2011
Dulux Trade has changed the formulation of its Vinyl Matt White paint
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Turn the lights down
08 April 2011
Cooper Lighting and Safety has launched a LED downlighter that has been designed to directly replace halogen downlighters.
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Underground stone
08 April 2011
Hanson Bath & Portland Stone is re-introducing Box Ground stone after a break of 60 years
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Yellow bricks for renovation
08 April 2011
Brick giant Wienerberger has launched a yellow stock brick intended for use on renovation projects.
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BuildingTV: Europe's tallest living wall springs into life
6 Apr 11
Bennett’s Associates use 180,000 plants to create 11th-storey green wall at the Mint Hotel in London
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Revealed: Green Deal costs will outweigh savings
01 April 2011
Blow to sustainability policy as study shows commercial building improvements cost more than they save
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Rebuilding Iraq: Mott MacDonald's Marsh Arab school
01 April 2011
How do you start to rebuild a country devasted by war? When Mott MacDonald was asked to make a school for the Marsh Arabs, it went back to using traditional woven reed – reconnecting the community to its roots.
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The Olympic stadium: Sprint finish
01 April 2011
Functional, lean and tightly compact, the Olympic stadium has powered through the construction phase to be delivered early and under budget.
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Movers and makers: Flooring
25 March 2011
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Sheppard Robson on flooring specification
25 March 2011
Environmental considerations are crucial when specifying flooring. Building talks to Evolution, the sustainability team at architect Sheppard Robson about how the industry can minimise environmental impact
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Were Japan's defences up to it?
18 March 2011
Buildings in Japan withstood the earthquake well, but were no match for the tsunami that ensued
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East London Line big winner at Civil Engineering Awards
11 March 2011
The awards took place last Friday honouring the civil engineers that make London run - from infrastructure, to buildings to the protection offered by the Thames Barrier.
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Movers and makers: Healthcare
11 March 2011
This week’s news from healthcare manufacturers
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Nightingale Associates on healthcare specification
11 March 2011
Public sector cuts and government proposals to hand healthcare commissioning to GPs means these are interesting times for healthcare specialist architects. Building talks to Mike Nightingale, founder of Nightingale Associates
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Government reveals subsidies for renewable heat technologies
10 Mar 11
The Department of climate change announces details of the renewable heat incentive which will take effect in the middle of next year
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Doorsets fit for the barbican
11 February 2011
?Doorsets from Urban Edge, part of Leaderflush Shapland, have been used for a project on the Barbican Estate which involved converting the former London Business School into flats. The grade II-listed building at Frobisher Crescent was originally intended as flats when the Barbican was built in the fifties. When the LBS recently moved out, developer United House converted the building into 69 apartments. The 498 doorsets supplied were a mix of pre-painted and quarter-cut polished sapele venee
