Construction activity up 50% and mandatory CCTV on all new buildings Industry news last week included a report from BarbourABI that construction activity grew by 50% in October compared to the same month last year; the UK Green Building Council warn of job losses by Christmas if government rolls back green levies; the Labour Party[…]

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[…]

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,[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]