All Features articles – Page 577
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FeaturesStarting LIFT off
The Local Improvement Finance Trust, designed to get health centres ship-shape by 2004, was launched two years ago. So why, asks Victoria Madine, hasn't it got off the ground yet?
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FeaturesRaising Hull
Opening to the public this weekend, Sir Terry Farrell's Hull aquarium is designed to put the lost city of the North back on the map. But, asks Martin Spring, is The Deep up to the task?
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Features
Grow your own
Contractor Hills Electrical & Mechanical tackles skills shortages with post A-level training, as human resources co-ordinator Adele Turner explains
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How to make friends and influence parliament
It seems construction is getting the hang of getting government's ear. Specialists, for example, have gathered 150 MPs behind their campaign to scrap retentions. Andy Pearson looks at how you, too, can have your way in Westminster. Illustration by Andrzej Krauze
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FeaturesDave Prentis
After his stunning victory over PFI contractors last week, the Unison general secretary has emerged as the PFI’s most effective opponent. But, he tells Tom Broughton, that doesn’t make him a ‘wrecker’ …
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Features
The black hole
Construction firms need to base their decision-making on accurate data, but up to now information on the £25bn repair, maintenance, refurbishment and extension sector has been terribly hazy. Now a DTI-sponsored survey puts it into focus. Alan Armitage of Construction Forecasting & Research explains …
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FeaturesThe benchmark
It's a tough life for the Greenwich Millennium Village team: a location next to the maligned Millennium Dome, the attentions of John Prescott, and tough targets for improving construction performance. Thomas Lane finds out how well they are doing
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Five reasons why small is beautiful
Speed Bureaucracies can take years to implement change, but a small business can make changes in minutes. They are constantly adapting and are able to make the most of opportunities as they appear. The small business is able to react speedily to the demands of customers without battling through organisational ...
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FeaturesAppointments
ContractorsMidlands-based contractor Thomas Vale Construction has appointed Bill Munn best practice director. Fit-out contractor Morgan Lovell has appointed Ira Edwards (left), formerly of Gensler, head of design in London. Contractor Faithdean has made the following appointments: Martin Britton has been promoted to director. Andrew Fraser, Jamie Goodwin, Tony Groves ...
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Features
International costs: 2002
Gardiner & Theobald’s 10th annual survey of global construction costs takes a look at building costs, labour rates, material prices and inflation rates and forecasts
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Features
£160m Bristol job gives Dean & Dyball shock lead
Hampshire contractor goes from nowhere to top spot for February, ahead of Sir Robert McAlpine and Kier.
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FeaturesLifetime costs: Walling and environmental efficiency
Walling is a key element of construction lifetime costs. Kathryn Bourke of BRE underlines the main implications in planning the whole service life and performance of walls – plus overleaf, BRE's new environmental profiles scheme explained
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Features
Rule changes for masonry
Changes to the thermal, environmental and acoustic regulations will affect the way walls are constructed. Alex Smith examines changes in Part L and E of the Building Regulations and new European standards
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FeaturesBrick masterclass
Two offices, two brick facades – and one hell of a challenge for the architect: how to blend modern and Victorian styling into a harmonious whole. The answer was in the spec, and luckily expert subbies were there to work out how.
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Features
Checklist: Bricks, blocks and insulation
Solid, perforated, frogged or hollow, Peter Claridge of Davis Langdon Schumann Smith outlines the essential details on specifying bricks and blocks of all shapes and sizes, whatever the application – plus the insulation to go with them
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FeaturesProducts: New kids on the block
In this masonry special, Specifier takes a look at the latest bricks, blocks and accessories and how they are being used – including Michael Hopkins and Partners' 300 m long brick facade in Norwich and Crest Nicholson's traditionally-built housing development in Kent
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FeaturesThe Wright way
This Preston contractor gives all profit left after investment to charity, organises free holidays for deprived kids and says it only exists for the benefit of its staff. Can this really be a recipe for success? Matthew Richards finds out.
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Scientific recruitment
Bill Watts of building services engineer Max Fordham tells Matthew Richards why it takes more than just an engineering degree to impress his firm
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FeaturesTony Pidgley
The king of British housebuilding talks to Phil Clark about architecture, the great British housebuilder and – after the departure of Tony Jr from Berkeley– why he ain't going anywhere yet.
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Mind the gaps
In the struggle to recruit and retain good staff, we should all be a bit more thoughtful …