All Features articles – Page 264
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FeaturesPension problems: Don't look now
Construction firms’ final salary pension liabilities of £33bn are set to attack their balance sheets, stop investment and hold back growth for years to come. Yet far from confronting the problem, many are simply ignoring it and hoping it will go away. Will Hurst reports
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FeaturesCostly legal disputes: Everyone's a loser
The amount spent on legal disputes has jumped by a third in the UK over the past year. Why are construction firms still so keen to spend on litigation?
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FeaturesMoving overseas: The checklist
An ever growing number of UK construction professionals are trying to escape the gloom by heading to foreign climes. But unfortunately, remembering your toothbrush is the least of it - for a move to be successful, it pays to plan carefully and keep on top of the paperwork…
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FeaturesInteriors Focus: Top tips on installing ceilings
A new AIS guide to top fixing aims to bring some much needed clarity to the secure installation of ceilings
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FeaturesTotal football: Brasilia's National Stadium
Brasilia’s seventies National Stadium has been rebuilt to the tune of £258m to become arguably the greenest arena in the world. It will be a key venue at the 2016 Olympics but, unlike its London counterpart, its real purpose is crystal clear: it’s all about the beautiful game. By Ike ...
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FeaturesCareers: It's BIM up north
The North-east is becoming such a hub of expertise on Building Information Modelling, it could soon be giving London a run for its money
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FeaturesSustainability: The energy bill
Phil Birch and Adam Mactavish of Sweett Group summarise some of the key elements in the draft bill to reform the electricity supply market, and consider the implications for commercial property
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FeaturesNottingham hosts art and design festival
Nottingham Trent University degree show features work from School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
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FeaturesCathedral Group's Martin Wood: Tales from the crypt
The decor may be morbid but Cathedral Group’s business is in rude health. Emily Wright meets managing director Martin Wood and finds out why the developer is a firm that contractors should get to know. Photography by James Royall
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FeaturesMy working day: Faithful+Gould consultant Alison Wring
The head of the Cambridge office spends her working day visiting clients all over East Anglia and London
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FeaturesA veritable refurbishment 'slide show'
When a retail and residential project in London was obliged to hold on to an existing 120-year-old facade, the bold solution was an innovative sliding and support system, as Ike Ijeh explains
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FeaturesThe tracker: Positive territory
Activity in civil engineering was in positive territory in April but decline in the residential and non-residential sectors is still dragging overall activity figures down, according to Experian Economics
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FeaturesNuclear: The path to power
A year ago, the nuclear new-build programme seemed like construction’s best hope of recovery. But since then, major players have withdrawn and concerns over electricity market reform have led to growing fears of delay, or even cancellation. Vern Pitt looks at where we are now
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FeaturesRope trick: Thames cable car
An ambitious plan to build a cable car over the Thames was up against some seriously tough technical challenges, not to mention the dreaded jinx of the Greenwich peninsula. Building finds out whether they pulled it off. Photography by Tim Crocker
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FeaturesInterview with Vinci's Paul Neto: The man from special ops
Paul Neto leads Vinci Construction UK’s crack special projects squad, which is only interested in the big stuff - major contracts and closing a mighty drop in profits. Portrait by James Bolton
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FeaturesCountry focus: Singapore
Singapore kept GDP growth at 4.9% in 2011 and although construction demand might fall, key projects will ensure workload remains steady, writes Richard Warburton from EC Harris
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FeaturesInterview with John Lewis' head of construction: Shopping in the dark
The rise of online shopping has made it impossible to predict customer behaviour, says John Lewis’ head of construction Tony Jacob. But what he does know is that the future will involve further expansion across the UK, with more distribution hubs, call centres and ‘dark stores’. He explains all to ...
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FeaturesOlympic health and safety: Record breakers
The Olympic big build project has been a massive success for UK construction - not least from a health and safety perspective. Emily Wright looks at how those involved delivered with one of the cleanest records ever - and what lessons can be learnt for the future. Illustration by Sarah ...
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FeaturesCrowning glories: The royals and architecture
As we prepare for the Diamond Jubilee, Ike Ijeh takes a look at the influence the Queen, some of her forbears, and last, but by no means least, her eldest son, have had on British architecture
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FeaturesWhere are the homes?
After a tough few years, things are looking up for housebuilders, judging from their profit figures. So why are we still in the middle of a housing crisis?