Robot brickies, keeping cool in Sochi, and housebuilder profits surge

Robot brickies, keeping cool in Sochi, and housebuilder profits surge

We begin with a quick exhibition update. This week you can visit Data Centre World, at London’s ExCel to find out 10 reasons why Energetics beat traditional energy providers; next week it is Ecobuild, also at ExCel – follow the link for the latest show review and to register for tickets;  and registration is now open for FIT, the Fabricator Installer Trade Show in Telford in June. 

Our VIDEO OF THE WEEK features Causeway Technologies vision for the future of construction.

Our first featured project story is about how Bitzer refrigeration compressors keeping it cool in Sochi.

New products include a concealed 3D hinge solution from SFS intec; a new DPC protection system from IKO plc; plus a new range of power tools from Robert Bosch.

Bovis report a surge of 48% in profits which is not surprising when house building now accounts for a third of all UK contracts awarded by value. And to put into perspective the more modest growth in infrastructure spending, the city of Wuhan in China is planning to spend more on infrastructure than the whole of the UK will over the next 5 years.

Finally, Buildingtalk on Twitter includes robots replacing brickies; the world’s scariest skiing skywalk; and a flat roof solution to urban floods.

TOP 10 STORIES

Triple glazed sealed units from Glassolutions featuring at Ecobuild

Designing, constructing and connecting electricity networks at Data Centres

Interior décor films and cleaning tools showcasing at Hotelympia

New W-tec 3D hinge concealed hinge solution from SFS intec

Infinity and Key-Link balustrade railing products new to UK market

Damp proof course and cavity tray system Hyload Trade launched

CIAT promoting mobility scheme for retrofitting of multi-storey buildings

Visual alarm devices fall under new standard regulations from CEN

Bottom rolling system designed for application of heavy doors

Power tools launched by Bosch include circular saw and jigsaw

LATEST PROJECTS AND OTHER STORIES

Bitzer refrigeration compressors keeping it cool in Sochi

Sky for high tech homes development at former 2012 Athletes village

Earthwool insulation installed at properties for sustainable solution

Steel framing company enjoys success at FPDC Annual Plaisterer Awards

Triple glazed window systems installed to create 360 degree views

Shingle cladding fitted at sustainable homes for development project

Anti-fatigue foam matting specified for department store refurbishment

Condensing boilers with manager controls achieves reduced gas usage

Fibre cement board launched in seven colours for rainscreen cladding

Glazing system installed at school to produce light filled space

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Construction software company researching cutting edge products

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

Flat roofs may be the answer to managing urban floods

Housebuilders Bovis report surge of 48% in profit as housing market recovers

Under 1% UK private rents owned by institutions – 17% in Germany

Have a look at the funniest construction fails ever!

One Chinese city outstrips total UK infrastructure spending

How Bitzer kept it cool at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

Ecobuild 2014 link to show preview

Scary view – the Chamonix Glass Skywalk on the Aiguille du Midi peak

Overall construction up 59% in Jan & house building is a third of all UK contracts awarded by value

Fancy living at Battersea Power Station? 3,500 new homes to be built fetching up to £30m each

Will robotic bricklayers put workers out of a job?