More Focus – Page 104
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FeaturesEcobuild: Programme preview
The ongoing struggle to build homes, the business case for sustainability and how to drag construction efficiency into this century are just some of the themes of Ecobuild 2016
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FeaturesWhat to specify: Refurbishment
Specialist pipework is used for upgrading the heating system at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s old abode, while floor preparation products helped to create a professional floor finish at St John’s Hall in Cornwall
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FeaturesThe R word is back
Five years after the coalition cut nearly all funding for regeneration, the government is talking warmly of knocking down estates and rebuilding as part of a ‘blitz’ on poverty. But with just £140m pledged to back the drive and a host of obstacles to overcome, how excited should the development ...
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FeaturesEnergiesprong: Sprong is here
A runaway success in the Netherlands, a boon for contractors and for occupiers, simple, ready-to-use and straight out of the box: could Energiesprong be the UK housing retrofit market’s new start?
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FeaturesTracker: January 2016
Despite falling in January the construction activity index remains in positive territory, with the repair and maintenance sector reaching its highest value since July 2014
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FeaturesPrefab housing: Here’s one we made earlier
A new range of low-cost prefabricated housing solutions is being rolled out across the country with the potential to help tackle Britain’s affordable housing crisis
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FeaturesContractors: The new world order?
Contractor Colin Harding has come up with a proposal to totally redesign the industry’s contractural arena - using far fewer consultants and putting sole responsibility for the performance of the building onto one single contractor
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FeaturesMarket review: Slow off the mark
Construction output levels saw a further slowdown in Q4 but were still up on the same period last year. Private housing and infrastructure are the bright lights for the year ahead
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FeaturesCycle lanes: On yer bikes
London’s £4bn Roads Modernisation Plan aims to radically redesign the way we travel through the capital’s streets
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FeaturesCost model: Private rented sector
The PRS market has found its stride. New occupiers are demanding fresh ideas and high quality. Making the most of this niche asset class requires a careful balance between capital investment and annual yield
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FeaturesWhat to specify: Cladding & curtain walling
This week’s products include prefabricated stone cladding for buildings at the Kew Bridge West development in north London, and sheathing board for a zero-carbon housing development in Peterborough
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FeaturesTfL: Branching out
Transport for London’s plans to develop some 75 sites will make it one of the capital’s biggest developers. Here it names the partners for its £3.6bn development framework
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FeaturesCRASH 20th anniversary and expansion into hospices
CRASH celebrates its 20th anniversary and expands its services to benefit hospices as well as homelessness charities
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FeaturesThe Falkland Islands: Military precision
Replacing former RAF accommodation on the Falkland Islands has meant working in extreme weather conditions and freezing temperatures for the Royal Engineers. And that was only once the 8,000-mile supply chain had been meticulously dealt with
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FeaturesAlmshouses: Charity begins at home
Renovating an almshouse site in Streatham, south London, meant a balancing act between upgrading outmoded 1930s housing and staying true to the Edwardian aesthetic
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FeaturesMarket forecast: Pressure drop
Market conditions remain positive across the country, but boosts to regional activity put the squeeze on local supply chains and tender prices
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FeaturesHoly Cross School: A class of its own
Cullinan Studio’s prefabricated school in Swindon extracts spatial and architectural delight from a lean, compact template and answers today’s challenge of how we can build more schools for less money, while maintaining design quality
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FeaturesUK prisons: Another brick in the wall
When plans were announced to close some of the UK’s worst prisons and build nine new ones focusing on rehabilitation, there was near universal approval. Since then, however, doubts have begun to surface
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FeaturesHinkley Point C: Shovels at the ready …
Construction firms have been poised to build Hinkley Point C since 2007. But nine years later the decision on whether to invest in the £18bn project has yet to be taken
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FeaturesLead times: Oct - Dec 2015
Increases to lead times continue, and many are forecast to rise in the next six months, as workload and enquiries grow. But staffing is still an issue