14 November 2013

Green initiatives under threat as building boom gains pace, plus focus on London at Paris construction show

Green initiatives under threat as building boom gains pace True to form, when politicians have the hand on the tiller, get the life jackets on. The latest looming disaster is the possible roll-back of support for green initiatives, resulting from the UK Government spin-war with the energy companies. Here are links to open letters from[…]

  • 14 November 2013

30 October 2013

World’s best architects for Battersea plus construction growth beats Olympics

I live near Battersea power station, made famous by Pink Floyd’s inflatable pigs flying through its massive chimneys back in the seventies. The long overdue redevelopment of this iconic site will be at the heart of the regeneration of south London, not least because two of the world’s best architects, Frank Geary & Norman Foster,[…]

  • 30 October 2013

22 October 2013

Report on first UK renewable district heating from rivers plus latest Buildingtalk newsletter

First UK renewable district heat from rivers plus a nation of self-builders Buildingtalk was invited to the opening of the first UK community heating scheme powered by energy sourced from river water which is being built by the Thames at Kingston. Ed Davey, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, switched on the[…]

  • 22 October 2013

15 October 2013

New technology means faster building projects set-up

Follow the links below for more details, and remember too that Buildingtalk offers instant access to both CAD and BIM files from a wide range of companies via FastrackCAD.  Latest happy stats include private house building up 1.6% from July to August and 18.1% growth year-on-year; and overall construction output is up 4% on a[…]

  • 15 October 2013

08 October 2013

Choosing the right passenger lifts and other industry news

From Buildingtalk Editor, Howard Chapman…. Stannah has published a new white paper on specifying passenger lifts and is offering those who download it an opportunity to get their hands on a new iPad Mini. Meanwhile, Schal is offering useful details for building managers on Display Energy Certificates, including how to avoid financial penalties. Our latest[…]

  • 08 October 2013

02 October 2013

Best new building in Britain plus construction jobs for Graduates

From Buildingtalk Editor, Howard Chapman…. At the weekend I visited the new Serpentine Sackler Gallery in London’s Hyde Park. Designed by Zaha Hadid, this most beautiful of carbuncles, built on the face of an old 1805 munitions store in Hyde Park, is my nomination for the best new building in Britain (BBB) in 2013. Email[…]

  • 02 October 2013

17 September 2013

House building boom underway plus biggest rise in construction orders since 2005

House building boom underway plus biggest rise in construction order books since 2005 The big rise in house building is beginning to fuel significant growth right across the construction sector. A jump of 33% in industry new orders during the April-June period was the biggest increase since records began in 2005 and means medium term[…]

  • 17 September 2013

12 September 2013

Education sector building boom and Retrofit Roadshows begin

Education sector building boom and Retrofit Roadshows begin I will be at the Timber Expo show [24/25th Sept at NEC], not least because it is the best opportunity this year to see the latest timber technology and new wood products all in one visit – plus visit useful seminars. If you have something new for[…]

  • 12 September 2013

13 August 2013

Should the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM become mandatory?

Those involved with new residential and non-residential buildings will be all too aware of the amount of paperwork and legislation that accompanies projects of all sizes, and of the number of different organisations that are required to be involved on even the smallest scheme. As well as creating additional costs and delays, such red tape[…]

  • 13 August 2013