All Building articles in 11 February 2011 – Page 3
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FeaturesThe Midland Grand at London St Pancras: A touch of class
George Gilbert Scott’s Victorian gothic masterpiece, the Midland Grand at London St Pancras, is about to reopen as a five-star hotel after a painstaking restoration. The result is stunning
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FeaturesThe tracker: Cold comfort
Bad weather caused the market to contract in December and the ongoing downward trend could see firms reducing their headcount. Experian Marketing Information Services does the detail
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FeaturesRefurb: Comparing Passivhaus and Decent Homes
The government’s target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 means that housebuilders need to implement changes, starting now. But with so many ways to reduce emissions in new and existing homes, how do you decide which regulations to follow?
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News
Rok and Connaught force repairs in-house
Housing associations launching in house contacting arms to battle VAT increase
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Comment
Designed to fail
Rudi Klein (28 January, page 53) writes about the problems caused by a lack of risk management during the design process. Could such problems have also been compounded by the apparent demise of the bill of quantities?
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News
London development led by office rental growth
Office rental growth is driving development activity in London, with supply shortage expected to further this in 2011
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Features
My digital life: Mark Taylor
Preferred means of communication?I’m afraid I’m rather analogue when it comes down to it – I prefer a good old fashioned conversation.What shall we play?Continuing the analogue theme Yahtzee is my favourite game - mainly because I can still beat the kids at it - which is more than can ...
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Comment
Legal dispute
It is interesting to read Ann Minogue’s “Can we be of any assistance?” (21 January, page 49). Minogue picks up on the point that adjudicators rarely appoint lawyers to advise on the law.
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CommentRobinson vs PE Jones: Duty in tort
A quirk in the law of limitation means a claim for economic loss under a contract has a different time limit from the same claim brought in tort
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News
Electrical retrofit
Electrical products manufacturer Hager supplied its Sollysta wiring accessories and consumer units for the refurbishment of 2,000 council houses in Edinburgh. Contractor McGaw Electrical said it chose the range because it was less disruptive to tenants - it didn’t have to retrofit deeper back boxes to accommodate the wall switches ...
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NewsLaing O’Rourke sacks staff for sending offensive email
12 employees sacked and further 12 given final warning as contractor toughens stance on behaviour
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News
Exterior repainting
Dulux paint products were used for the exterior repainting of seven blocks of flats in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The blocks range in height from 16 to 21storeys so council housing manager Rochdale Boroughwide Housing wanted a solution that would last for many years. Rendered panels between the windows on each ...
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News
External wall insulation
Anglian Building Products has installed external wall insulation to seven blocks of sheltered accommodation in Southend, Essex. The Weber.therm XM system consists of 70mm polystyrene insulation followed by two coats of render and a coloured pebbledash topcoat. The blocks, which were built in the seventies, have solid walls. Anglian said ...
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FeaturesRick Willmott: ‘Get ready for the recession’
Rick Willmott, head of Willmott Dixon, says the downturn has yet to really hurt the large contractors. And those that persist in bidding below cost are taking the biggest gamble
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Comment
Open mike: Stop the world – I want to get off
Most architects find new work through word of mouth. So the more circles you move in, the more people will talk – and the dizzier you’ll become
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News
Hard landscaping
Landscaping specialist Marshalls has announced six new products. These include Coach House walling which is intended to create a historical look and complements the firm’s Coach House paving range. Natural stone includes Indian Black Limestone which the company says is ethically sourced and sorted by hand for the best colour ...
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News
Historic refurbishment
More than 6,400 Welsh slates have been used to recover 600m2 of roof on a 14th century mansion in Salford, Greater Manchester. The Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate’s Penrhyn quarry in North Wales were used as part of a £6.3m refurbishment of the grade 1 listed Ordsall Hall. Sizes ...
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Comment
House rules
Consultants are at a greater risk of being sued in the downturn, but if you follow these basic rules, you can mitigate a potential claim
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News
Subsidy review puts hundreds of solar panel projects at risk
Kier among those fearful as government review of feed-in tariffs puts schemes under threat