Entries by Lyn

PATENT FOR GARAGE BASED AFFORDABLE HOUSING

HUSK SECURES FIRST PATENT FOR INNOVATIVE GARAGE BASED AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONCEPT   A house designer has been awarded a UK patent for its innovative approach to transforming unwanted and disused garage sites into affordable new homes.   The patent covers HUSK’s ground-breaking solution for the design and build of one and two bedroomed homes on […]

Free trade or red tape

A recent survey of British Coatings Federation (BCF) members demonstrates how Brexit has impacted negatively on the coatings sector in the form of new customs red-tape and higher costs since 1st January.  The survey reported higher shipping costs, increased costs of imported raw materials, and new administration costs to complete customs paperwork, with 30% of […]

HOW TO DELIVER ‘PROJECT SPEED’

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has launched a series of briefings exploring how Project Speed can improve delivery of hospitals, schools, homes and rail. The output from four industry roundtables hosted by ACE in partnership with construction firms Laing O’Rourke, Mace and Reds10, as well as Network Rail and housebuilder Thakeham, the briefings […]

Construction contracts, an overview

What standard contract forms are used for construction and design? Must the language of the contract be the local language? Are there restrictions on choice of law and the venue for dispute resolution? Standard forms A number of standard form contracts have been created in an attempt to provide standardisation and as a means of […]

A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

The benefits of replacement, energy-efficient aluminium windows and doors for school renovations include savings on energy bills while providing a bright, secure and comfortable learning environment explains Russell Wallbank, Architectural Project Manager at window and door system supplier Schüco.   A pool of water on a window sill or a blind flapping in a cold […]

£180m Tower STANDS EMPTY AMID CLADDING RUMOURS

The owners of the world’s tallest block of prefabs have denied that prospective residents of 101 George Street’s towers have been stalled for more than six months because of issues with the buildings’ cladding. 101 George Street stands empty, more than six months after the first tenants had expected to move in Inside Croydon revealed […]

PULSE TECHNOLOGY – approved for testing air tightness

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO The UK Government has announced a new air tightness technique can be used as an official compliance measurement tool in the UK’s recently-revised Building Regulations. The low-pressure Pulse test is now an approved alternative method to the standard blower door test to measure the air tightness of buildings. The […]

CONSTRUCTION: COSTS UP PRODUCTION DOWN, BUT HOUSING HOLDS FAST

Whilst problematic importing and rising costs have driven construction down in January the house-building sector remains buoyant, read the full CIPS January report below:   January PMI® data compiled by IHS Markit indicated a marginal decline in UK construction output, which ended a seven-month period of expansion. The latest survey also signalled a slowdown in […]

£11M POT FOR ENERGY ENTREPRENEURS

Talented energy entrepreneurs have the chance to benefit from a share of £11 million government funding to turn their ideas into real products and services whilst eliminating carbon emissions. Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan has announced the latest round of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF), which seeks to drive forward new clean technologies across all sectors […]

Lib Dem win forces developers to take financial responsibility for Grenfell-style cladding row

A successful Liberal Democrat amendment today will force developers to take financial responsibility for unsafe buildings and ensure the Grenfell-style cladding row in Manchester is never be repeated. In today’s full council meeting [03/02/21], Liberal Democrat Councillor Richard Kilpatrick successfully moved an amendment which will shift the financial responsibility of recladding away from residents and leaseholders to […]