More Focus – Page 483
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
FeaturesBioterror: the threat to Britain's landmarks
Officials throughout the UK are working out ways to protect venues such as Durham Cathedral and Wimbledon from germ and chemical attack. Here's what they're planning …
-
FeaturesClear vision
Foster's clever idea was a 25 m high glass wall floating 3 m above the ground. A tall order – especially as it couldn't sway in the wind. Andy Pearson found out how Arup rose to the challenge
-
FeaturesDrop-in centre
HLM Architects' office building inserted into London's Arundel Great Court has been ingeniously designed to serve as the hub of the complex – without being glaringly obvious
-
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.
-
FeaturesEscape from the pod people
Two young architects discovered that prefab is being taken over by developers who think it means putting toilet pods everywhere – and vowed to fight back … Martin Spring found out how they're doing
-
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.
-
Features
Union of dull Jacks
Brits may be the hardest workers in Europe, but the all-work-and-no-play culture doesn't make us happy or productive. And, as the results of the Building/DTI work–life balance survey suggest, a more relaxed workforce may mean a healthier balance sheet.
-
Features
Mind the gaps
In the struggle to recruit and retain good staff, we should all be a bit more thoughtful …
-
Features
Five tools for getting the balance right
Curl up with Rob Parson's The Heart of Success (£7, Hodder & Stoughton). This newly published book is packed with practical advice for executives about how to balance family and career demands. "Try applying one principle a week and see the change," raves one reviewer.Try the TUC's Changing Times Published ...
-
FeaturesCost study: Coin Street housing
Haworth Tompkins’ design for Coin Street on London’s South Bank has been hailed as a new model for high-density inner-city housing. In this project review Coin Street Community Builders, Haworth Tompkins Architects and Davis Langdon & Everest look at the project’s design costs
-
Features
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
-
FeaturesAppointments
ContractorsHertfordshire-based Borras Group has made three appointments at its subsidiary, T&B Contractors. Mark Hickson has been appointed contracts director. Marc Jeffries becomes contracts manager. Kevin O'Dell has been promoted to chief surveyor. HousebuildersLaurence Garner has joined Kier Residential as finance director. Karen Parker has been appointed sales manager for Gleeson ...
-
FeaturesThe new traditionalists
Classical architecture is making a bid for recognition. Martin Spring looks at a movement attempting to shake off its retarded image, and overleaf Mark Leftly profiles David Lunts, the man who is about to bring Prince Charles' agenda into the heart of the government
-
Features
Air restorer
You might want to take a deep breath before reading this – or then again, since the air in your office may be 10 times more polluted than it is outdoors, you might not. But now there's an air purification system that filters out the yuck and zaps bacteria to ...
-
FeaturesBy royal appointment
The newly announced head of the DTLR's urban policy unit is currently Prince Charles' architectural right-hand man. Mark Leftly speaks to David Lunts about his struggle to bring traditionalism into the mainstream.
-
Features
£350m Thameslink deal puts Jarvis in top spot
Mace jumps into second with £201m of work, but Bovis and Sir Robert McAlpine still dominate annual tables.
-
FeaturesMetropolis now
Berlin's spectacular new parliamentary committee building combines sci-fi and symbolism to help bring Germany's capital into the 21st century