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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 the GGF and Knauf Insulation to the UK Prime Minister imploring him not to sacrifice energy efficiency measures just to gain a few votes.
On my visit last week to Batimat in Paris (see my report below) I met Ken Livingstone who was speaking about the impact the London Olympics legacy is having on the amazing renewal of the capital. One key reason why the Olympics were such a triumph for UK construction was that he resisted political management of the project. When it was proposed, Ken’s response was over my dead body’. Retrofitting UK housing stock to improve energy efficiency is an even bigger task and somehow it needs the focus and skills of industry to achieve this, without Government meddling.
Some highlights from Buildingtalk on Twitter this week: the cranes are well and truly back in London, with office building hitting a 10 year high; main contractors are now demanding BIM from subcontractors; profits soar on retirement homebuilding plus new house reservations are up 50%; and we pose the question is future new-build nuclear energy at an end?
Finally, it’s great that architect Frank Gehry has been hired to design new London offices for Facebook. However, I think it is time that Zaha Hadid, the most exciting architect of our generation, who lives and works in London, is given a major project in the city. What do you think?
English Spirit Distillery has used an extensive package of Altro products front and back of house, in their new visitor centre café, shop and viewing area for the working distillery.
Posted in Articles, Bathrooms, Bedrooms & Washrooms, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Floors, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Kitchens, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Timber Buildings and Timber Products, Walls
Abloy UK has supplied The Safety Letterbox Company Ltd with a bespoke Sentry CL811 Camlock for use in its Secure Information Boxes, assisting life safety and complying with new regulations and legislation for high rise buildings.
Posted in Access Control & Door Entry Systems, Architectural Ironmongery, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Case Studies, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Security and Fire Protection
Situated at the northern edge of a newly developed retail park near Bristol, the Abbey Wood Travelodge was conceived as part of the company’s new Budget-Luxe line of hotels – it features CUPACLAD, from CUPA PIZARRAS.
Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Cladding, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Facades, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Walls
Origin’s latest investment is set to redefine industry standards as it launches its own in-house powder coating facility.
Posted in Aluminium Products, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Doors, Glass, Glazing, Innovations & New Products, Paints, Coatings & Finishes, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Site Preparation, Windows