All Economics articles – Page 13

  • Rainy days: the Bank of England says commercial property is a serious risk
    Features

    Market forecast: Orders holding up

    2008-02-01T00:00:00Z

    Despite the pessimism all around, most contractors have strong order books and there are few reports of projects being cancelled or delayed. Peter Fordham of Davis Langdon reports

  • Zaha Hadid’s proposed £987m 180-acre scheme for the Zorrozaurre peninsula in the Basque region of Spain
    Features

    Country focus: Spain

    2008-01-18T00:00:00Z

    Spain has enjoyed a booming economy over the past 10 years, with annual growth well above the EU average. But is the fiesta about to end? Marcos Uttley del Corral of EC Harris reports

  • Coop Himmelb(l)au’s BMW World in Munich uses a complex latticework of steel to create a dramatic tornado-like structure
    Features

    Specialist cost update: Structures

    2008-01-18T00:00:00Z

    The credit crunch has led to the cancellation or postponement of some schemes, but the year ahead is still looking buoyant across the sector. Gardiner & Theobald report

  • The ground source heat pump is sized to meet 50% of the energy needs of Urban Splash’s Lake Shore House in Bristol
    Features

    Sustainability: Heat pumps

    2008-01-11T00:00:00Z

    Can the technology that powers the humble fridge contribute to reducing carbon emissions in a cost-effective way? Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon looks at what heat pumps can, and cannot, offer a future development

  • Features

    The tracker: A little festive cheer

    2007-12-14T00:00:00Z

    Despite the threat of higher borrowing costs, the industry is yet to encounter liquidity problems and firms remain optimistic about future employment, reports Experian Business Strategies

  • Features

    Cost update: December 2007

    2007-12-07T00:00:00Z

    Material price rises have slowed – despite the relentless demand for timber and steel – and wage increases are lagging behind the wider economy, reports Peter Fordham of Davis Langdon

  • Wilkinson Eyre’s multistorey car park in Paradise Street, Liverpool shows that this utilitarian building type can still produce iconic architecture
    Features

    Cost model: Car parks

    2007-11-30T00:00:00Z

    Car parks may not be the most glamorous of construction projects, but designing them is more complex than you might think. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon outlines the issues that must be thought through and provides a fully comprehensive cost list

  • Penoyre & Prasad’s Green Wrythe Lane primary care centre in Carshalton, Surrey, was completed under the NHS’ LIFT framework
    Features

    Procurement: Frameworks

    2007-11-23T00:00:00Z

    Frameworks are increasingly prevalent in UK construction, but what should clients consider when building long-term relationships? And what should suppliers consider before signing up? Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon reports

  • Foster + Partners’ U2 Tower in Dublin
    Features

    Market focus Ireland

    2007-11-23T00:00:00Z

    The first decline in construction output in Ireland for 14 years is sending ripples through the supply chain. But Roger Alexander of Mazars, Ireland says that, for those who respond wisely to the changing market, the rewards are considerable

  • Foreign investors are heading for cities with well-educated, highly trained populations, like Warsaw
    Features

    Country focus: Poland

    2007-11-16T00:00:00Z

    Despite the exodus of native workers since the country joined the EU, Poland’s economy and construction market have gone from strength to strength. Marcin Klammer of EC Harris reports

  • Extra care homes in Barnet, north London, designed by PRP Architects and built by Jacksons for Sanctuary Housing Association
    Features

    Mini cost model: Extra care housing

    2007-11-09T00:00:00Z

    The number of elderly people is growing all the time and so are the accommodation options available to them. Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon breaks down the costs of ‘very sheltered’ homes

  • Features

    Market forecast: Credit crunch ahead

    2007-11-02T00:00:00Z

    Full order books mean the industry is likely to remain busy into 2008 but the impact of the credit crunch on new developments remains to be seen

  • The Heron tower, which is being built at 110 Bishopsgate, on the east edge of the City
    Features

    Spotlight on tall buildings

    2007-10-26T00:00:00Z

    Big buildings are rising up across London, putting pressure on suppliers and contractors alike

  • Features

    Lead times July-October 2007

    2007-10-26T00:00:00Z

    There were no significant changes to lead times for materials this quarter, indicating that the market is levelling out, says Brian Moone of Mace. Overleaf, he turns the spotlight on tall buildings

  • The timber canopy of the Savill building in Windsor Great Park was built using locally sourced wood, making it low in embodied carbon
    Features

    Sustainability — Embodied carbon

    2007-10-12T00:00:00Z

    Your client’s low-energy building has a wind turbine and photovoltaics, the insulation uses sheep’s wool and there’s no PVC.But just how much carbon has been used in assembling the building – and should we worry? Davis Langdon report on an initiative to rate the embodied carbon of buildings.

  • Foster + Partners’ fully glazed solution at the Bishops Square office development in the City
    Features

    Specialist cost update: Envelope

    2007-09-28T00:00:00Z

    The cost of a building’s envelope has increased 10% over the past 12 months, and a similar rate is forecast for the next two years. Gardiner & Theobald reports on the costs and lead times of curtain walling, roofing and stone construction and restoration

  • Hotel and leisure projects in Budapest are a good investment opportunity for foreign firms
    Features

    Country focus: Hungary

    2007-09-21T00:00:00Z

    The Hungarian economy is struggling with a budget deficit and low growth, but with the offices and retail markets set to soar, the future is bright. Tibor Stahl and Judit Rohonyi of EC Harris report

  • A target price contract has helped control costs on the £4.2bn Heathrow Terminal 5
    Features

    Procurement: Target price contracts

    2007-09-14T00:00:00Z

    In today’s overheated market, clients need all the help they can get to deliver good-value, low-risk projects. Some clients are turning to collaborative working – and contracts such as the NEC – to provide an extra incentive. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon examines the issues

  • Features

    Cost update: September 2007

    2007-09-07T00:00:00Z

    In this quarter’s analysis, Peter Fordham of Davis Langdon reports on the continuing rise in construction materials prices, driven by demand from the Far and Middle East

  • The speed of things: Bucharest is benefiting from huge amounts of inward investment
    Features

    Country focus: Romania

    2007-08-24T00:00:00Z

    Romania is booming after its recent accession to the EU, with a rapidly growing construction industry and the world’s ‘third most promising’ economy, writes Stuart Powls of EC Harris