More Focus 鈥� Page 134
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FeaturesTracker: March 2014
Construction activity showed a slight fall in the third month of the year but remained in positive territory, pointing towards a period of sustained expansion. Experian Economics reports
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FeaturesInterview: Alan Brown
With two investors behind it and the recent purchase of upmarket housebuilder Banner, Cala Group has come a long way from its precarious refinancing in 2009. Alan Brown talks about delivering volume at the top end of the market, and plans to treble turnover to 拢800m a year
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FeaturesSpring in our step
Business indicators point to plenty of momentum in the economy as household consumption expands and employment rises. Michael Dall presents highlights of Barbour ABI鈥檚 latest monthly Economic Construction Market Review, with a special focus on the education sector
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FeaturesMarket forecast: Rebound on track
Although Q1 2014 saw output and price levels taper off, the overall direction of the industry remains encouraging, especially considering its supply and skills constraints
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FeaturesWhat to specify: Doors & windows
You can see clearly now with the latest doors and windows products. Innovations include automatic door operators, top swing reversible windows and electronic roof windows
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FeaturesHow to be cool: Tackling overheating in UK homes
Overheating in homes is set to become an increasingly urgent issue, especially in the capital, as global temperatures rise. With energy legislation demanding that buildings become ever more airtight, what is the best way for designers to respond?
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FeaturesWorkers of the World unite
Bosses of employee-owned companies claim greater engagement and increased profitability. So why isn鈥檛 everyone doing it?
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FeaturesNBS survey: The BIM that will bring us together
NBS鈥� annual BIM survey suggests that uptake of the collaborative technology has risen sharply over the past year. But is it really becoming the industry norm?
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FeaturesBIM: The inside story three years on
Manchester council鈥檚 FM team were initially reluctant to use BIM in the operation of the city鈥檚 newly refurbished Central Library. But then they were shown how much time it could save, even on changing a lamp鈥� Thomas Lane catches up with the team in part three of a series that ...
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FeaturesCost model: Tall buildings
With nearly 250 towers set to be built in London alone - the vast majority of them residential - Brian Smith, Mital Dholakia and Richard Heseltine of Aecom highlight the main design and cost considerations in reaching for the skies
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Features星空传媒 Award Winners: Sustainable project of the year
There were several trailblazing projects in this category, but Skanska and Hopkins Architects鈥� Brent Civic Centre stands out for redefining the humble council office as a beacon of low-energy design
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FeaturesTrouble at the top
Bad managers can have a big impact on staff morale and productivity levels, and they could even pose a serious threat to the industry鈥檚 upturn. So why are there so many of them?
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FeaturesSustainability: Facilities efficiency
As construction becomes ever more energy efficient, attention is turning to facilities management to deliver greater carbon and cost savings. Phil Birch of Sweett Group examines how the purchasing and management of cleaning and catering operations can reduce a building鈥檚 environmental impact
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FeaturesWhat to specify: Housing
This week, we go through the keyhole at some of the UK鈥檚 most genteel new residences, including a Buckinghamshire country house with timber leaded windows and a rapidly rendered home in Poundbury
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FeaturesFair payment charter: Cheque鈥檚 in the post
Few issues are more contentious in construction than payment practices. So will a new fair payment charter that asks contractors to commit to shorter payment times actually work - or merely add to the pile of previous failed attempts to reform the industry?
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FeaturesRebuilding after Japan's tsunami
Three years on from its devastating earthquake and tsunami, Japan is, for the first time, signalling that it needs help rebuilding homes and communities. For UK construction firms willing to dig in, this could mean new opportunities
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Features星空传媒 Awards Small Project of the Year: Maggie's cancer centre, Aberdeen
With its streamlined, organic form enhancing its welcoming ethos, the latest Maggie鈥檚 Cancer Caring Centre in Aberdeen, designed by Sn酶hetta, is a worthy winner of this year鈥檚 Small Project of the Year 星空传媒 Award
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FeaturesPutting the wind up construction
Ofgem鈥檚 announcement last week that the six big energy firms face a competition inquiry has spooked the market and alarmed construction firms relying on new energy generation capacity. But are things really as bleak as they seem?
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Features星空传媒 intelligence: Q4 2013
Data from Experian Economics shows that while construction activity levelled off in Q4 2013, for the year as a whole, activity was on the rise, with growth forecast in the private housing and infrastructure sectors
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FeaturesTracker: February 2014
Construction activity continued to increase in February and was up four points on the previous month. This represents 18 months of sustained positivity. Experian Economics reports