Opinion – Page 486
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Comment
More than zero
Anything we do to remain alive on this planet comes with a carbon burden. The use of renewable energy comes with a carbon burden – photovoltaic cells and wind generators for domestic energy production consume energy in being manufactured, resulting in carbon dioxide emissions – renewable energy is NOT “zero” ...
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CommentDear landlord
Charles McDonald, the real estate manager at the Carbon Trust, is right to target landlords in the battle to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings (3 November). Landlord developers are escaping accountability. As a design-and-build contractor, we employ good architectural practices, good building services consultants, and front-line M&E subcontractors ...
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Comment
A race-goer riled
I visited Royal Ascot in June and July (17 November). I like the building and think it was remarkable that it was completed in time for the meeting. However, there are some issues that need rectifying.
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CommentPart C (for cats)
Further to your recent campaign concerning the Building Regulations I recently came across this on one of our sites.
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Comment
Bricks and blunders
I regularly drive past Grosvenor Waterside, the “best private housing development” in this year’s brick awards. Are you joking? Smart contemporary lines? It looks identical to the “best commercial building” shown next to it.
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CommentThe eternal quest for perfect reception
Simon Perry writes: “While on holiday in Belgium, the home of the European parliament, which hands down the vast quantities of health and safety regulations, I happened to notice this unique approach. I presume they were seeing how many regulations they could break!”
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CommentKnow your rights
‘If it ain’t broke, why fix it?’ asked Jeff Brown of collateral warranties. But third-party rights are now used by many big developers as they reduce paperwork, time and money
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Comment
Concentrating their minds
Tony Bingham claims that suing an expert witness is a ‘rock solid no-go’, but if your expert is negligent, shouldn’t they suffer the consequences?
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CommentThe challenge: How to obtain value for money in 2012
One of the biggest difficulties facing big projects is cost?
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CommentGive it to us straight
One thing’s for sure about the London Olympics: the government won’t be picking up any medals for its management of the public’s expectations.
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Comment
Pay your debts
The defendant purchased three terraced properties with her husband.The properties were affected by asbestos contamination. With the assistance of a grant from Leeds City Council the defendant intended to refurbish the properties, keeping two and selling off the third property. The defendant entered into a contract with the claimant for ...
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CommentA granny with a spliff
It’s radical. It’s brave. And, amazingly, it’s the brainchild of the JCT. Prepare to be shocked by Constructing Excellence, a partnering contract with a difference …
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CommentOn the soapbox
WEB WATCH - Small practitioners can finally have a say in the Building Regulations, thanks to a government website. Alex Smith logged on and found out what it all has to do with speed cameras …
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CommentImage aware
Companies spend millions protecting and promoting their brands. Now the Olympic Committee is trying to make “London 2012” into the next superbrand, but can you really claim ownership of a date and a city’s name?
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CommentBlitz spirit
It’s the 1940s again, with Spitfires soaring overhead, liberty ships lurking in the Thames Estuary and an attempt to reshape London’s landscape that is about as popular as the Luftwaffe’s
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Comment
Quality over quantity
Your editorial on Building Schools for the Future (3 November, page 3) got the wrong end of the stick. The real challenge for Tim Byles is not to deliver 3,500 schools or to spend £45bn; it is to find a way to marry quantity with quality.