More Focus – Page 485
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FeaturesDo it the easy way
A three-house terrace in the east end of London, built entirely from aircrete blocks, is the testing ground for a fast, efficient, hassle-free construction system that could revolutionise housebuilding. Andy Pearson finds out whether it lives up to expectations
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Worth the risk?
Professional indemnity premiums are soaring for consultants, hitting the biggest on their bottom line and threatening the viability of smaller firms. But as Victoria Madine discovers, it's still possible to find a better deal.
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The human factor
When the market wobbles, you need key staff more than ever you did when it was booming
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Five ways to beat stress
A good night's sleep Medical research confirms what the overworked have always known – the more you sleep, the less stressed you feel. Eighty years ago, the UK slept nine hours a night, but since then it's fallen by 90 minutes. So lie back and snooze like it's the 1920s.A ...
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Cost study: West Lothian College
A brand new campus developed on a greenfield site in Livingston, procured through PFI by trading in the former college site, was the best way to offer West Lothian College real value for money. HBG Construction and architect RMJM Scotland explain how they accommodated both traditional and high-tech styles – ...
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FeaturesHow to fix an unfixable roof
The roof of the Commonwealth Institute had attained the status of an urban myth among London's roofing contractors, who told awestruck tales of leaks that no man could fix. Alex Smith finds out how it was finally sorted
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Regulations: Don't be an April fool
Sweeping changes to Part L of the Building Regulations come into effect on 1 April, and will have major implications for roofing specifiers. Insulation will have to be thicker, and buildings must be airtight and condensation-free. Alex Smith examines the ways you can keep up with the key changes
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Lifetime costs: Full metal packet
Metal roof coverings are many and varied – and so are the accompanying costs. In the first of Specifier’s Lifetime costs series, the Building Performance Group offers a guide to lifespan, whole-life costings and the durability of metal sheet roofing
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Checklist: Commercial roofing
In our first Checklist, Peter Claridge of Davis Langdon Schumann Smith takes you step-by-step through the essential points every commercial roofing specifier needs to consider, from identifying the roof type through to weatherproofing
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FeaturesProducts: The height of innovation
In the first of our special products sections, Specifier gets a bird's eye view of the best new roofing systems and how they've been applied – including Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners' record-breaking Frankfurt trade fair roof, and how Velux uses its own windows.
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On shaky ground
The Millennium Bridge should have been British engineering's finest hour. Instead, it has become a metaphor for a profession in crisis.
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FeaturesTerry Farrell
When an ennobled architect suggests tearing down the walls of Buckingham Palace, you know you're dealing with something of a nonconformist. Mark Leftly finds out what Terry's rebelling against.
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First taste
Ian Shaw, personnel manager at contractor Simons Construction, explains how and why firms should put a good work experience programme in place
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Appointments
Contractors Midlands contractor William Sapcote & Sons has appointed Phil Livesey, previously with Mansell, senior project surveyor. HousebuildersJayne Boldison has been appointed sales adviser at Cala Homes. She was previously with property agent DTZ. David Taylor has joined Crest Nicholson Residential as design manager for Attwood Green in Birmingham. Consultants ...
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Strategic choices
What was so interesting about the league of European contractors Building published last month?
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Five things to know about accounting standards
Why worry about International Accounting Standards?All stock-market listed companies in the European Union must prepare their accounts under International Accounting Standards by 2005 at the latest. This will make it easier to compare companies throughout the Continent.Isn’t 2005 still a long way off?Annual reports for 2005 must contain IAS-compliant comparative ...
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FeaturesCost model: Prefabrication and preassembly
How can prefabrication and preassembly deliver the buildings that clients and designers aspire to? In this cost model, Davis Langdon & Everest looks at case studies of recent applications of preassembly techniques
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FeaturesAction stations
The British Army is about as tough as clients get: complex, demanding, and heavily armed. Victoria Madine looks at how contractors can get a piece of its rapidly increasing capital budget, and on pages 45-46 Marcus Fairs interviews a general who's also a construction guru
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FeaturesThe mask of command
After an exemplary career in the military, Sir Antony Walker has taken up service with Aqumen. He tells Marcus Fairs some of his secrets of leadership.