New vans, dodgy wood, fast-track housing + win Ashes tickets

BLOG from Howard Chapman, Editor of Buildingtalk

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Whats new in building – read the latest Buildingtalk Newsletter

The latest round-up of industry news includes the dream of a modular-built Sky City, fast-track housing proposals, construction industry honours, and movable walls at the iconic Battersea Power Station development.

Whats new in building

Big companies falling foul of EU Timber Regulations as BM TRADA report that 50% of wood tested werent even the species they were purported to be. So what chance have we of protecting endangered species?

Architects seem to welcome Mayor of London proposals for fast-track new housing including affordable andamp; private rental homes – comments please for inclusion in a Buildingtalk feature andamp; response to this draft planning guidance.

EC Harris Report says house builders needs to recruit 1 million construction workers in next 5 years but where from?

Other new research says private housebuilders could build 150k homes by 2020 if certain barriers removed.

Or why not dream big a modular built new Sky City planned in Changsha, China will include the worlds tallest tower. And take a look at the video of flat-pack skyscrapers in China that take just 19 days to build a 57-storey tower!

More news

Antimicrobial coating agent succeeded in wiping out almost all bacteria that is usually present in classrooms, according to the results of the recent trial now Contour incorporate the BioCote coating in their LST radiator guards.

Getting your business on the road – complete Trade package solution from Hitachi includes new van models, racking systems and tools, plus new vehicle signage.

Industry Events

Details soon on my visitt to the Protection andamp; Management (5 shows) at ExCel, London + REHAU at The Building Centre + London Build 2015 at the O2.

We have more details below about UK Construction Week (9 shows) at NEC, Birmingham highlighted in a new preview magazine, plus a chance to win free tickets to The Ashes this summer.

GGF are to support The Build Show with speakers and seminars.

Product stories

• New commercial kitchen fan from Vortice are capable of extracting hot fumes of up to 100 degrees C.
• CE backed wetroom solutions from wedi Systems (UK)
• Fibre Cement Slates Guide for pitched roofing from Cembrit

Latest project stories

• Movable walls at the iconic Battersea Power Station development from CE Solutions Housing Association to fit Aico CO alarms in all properties
• Worlds largest Mini dealership chooses Johnstones
• Bauder green roof system specified for Baker Street refurbishment
• Selectaglaze specified for Mayfair building refurbishment
• Security for the Dylan Thomas Centre supplied by Abloy UK
• RonaDeck Resin Bonded Surfacing from Ronacrete installed at all-access beach
• Clos-o-Mat assisted-access hygiene facilities fitted at new-build schools

Video of the Week

Video demos new ready-made basins for the bathroom, sinks for the kitchen and basins for the healthcare sector launched by DuPont Corian

Best of Buildingtalk on Twitter

• Wyre Tidal Barrage planned as push for tidal energy gains pace
• UK growth outlook brighter after new construction data from ONS
• Houses of Parliament repair bill could hit £6b – RT where MPs could go while the builders are in?
• Modular built new Sky City planned in Changsha, China + worlds tallest tower – a dream?
• Chinese construction (CCECC) to buy UKs biggest contractor? $3bn BalfourBeatty takeover?

And finally.

Our congratulations to all those from construction industry in the Queens Birthday Honours including Adrian White (Biwater), Andrew Mitchell (Crossrail andamp; Tideway Tunnel), Geoff French (ICE), and Judy Lowe (CITB).

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