More Focus – Page 464

  • Features

    Learning curves

    2002-10-04T00:00:00Z

    The town had never seen one, the architect had never built one, the budget was as tight as a tourniquet, there was almost no time to plan it, and everything depended on the specification. We tell the story of how a primary school in Kent got itself a curved ...

  • Features

    A message to you

    2002-09-27T00:00:00Z

    Georg Sieber knows what direction people panic in. He knows what terrorists are about to do. He even knows how to stop them, although clients don't always listen. We met the brilliant psychologist who has a chilling warning for contractors.

  • Features

    Missing persons

    2002-09-27T00:00:00Z

    Statistically, there should be three times as many workers from ethnic minorities on Britain's building sites as there are. So is the industry institutionally racist – or just very bad at marketing itself to these groups?

  • Features

    Local lowdown

    2002-09-27T00:00:00Z

    Robert Smith of Hays Montrose continues his series on regional job markets with a report on north-east England – which is fizzing with health

  • Features

    Racism is unforgivable – but let's get the facts straight

    2002-09-27T00:00:00Z

    I read last week's ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ leader and articles about Najjif Shah with a great deal of annoyance.

  • Features

    The benchmark

    2002-09-27T00:00:00Z

    With clients becoming more demanding, contractors are turning to customer satisfaction measurement tools to learn how to keep them sweet. But can you really quantify a feeling? We spoke to some firms that think you can – and that they've got it sussed …

  • Features

    The Top 200 Consultants 2002

    2002-09-27T00:00:00Z

    This year’s consultants league table ranks the biggest 200 consultants in the UK, followed by the top 100 architects, engineers, surveyors, QSs and building surveyors. But does size really matter? We discuss its relevance with the assistance of a canine analogy …Tables compiled by Martin Hewes

  • Features

    Taking the plunge

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    This time last year, the City couldn't lift contractors high enough. Today, shares are plummeting the same day that firms announce splendid profit growth. What on earth is the City up to?

  • Features

    Dead on arrival?

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    With the government investing billions in healthcare facilities, the NHS is finally getting its chance to join the 21st century. But experts are already warning that essential design is being squeezed out of this vision. With technology and medical procedures advancing at the pace they are, our shiny new hospitals, ...

  • Features

    Bovis hits winning streak with £145m Arndale deal

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    A £125m deal to refurbish and extend Manchester shopping centre takes contractor into lead position.

  • Features

    One giant leap

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    An twisted ski jump by Zaha Hadid – half high-tech elegance, half jackal-headed god of the dead – has given the people of Austria something remarkable to fling themselves off at high speed …

  • Features

    Lean machine

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    Richard O'Connor is out to slimline the construction industry's waste. Applying the lessons of the automotive industry, he says he can save builders time and money. Victoria Madine finds out just what a professional streamliner has to offer.

  • Features

    Up the evolution

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    The times they are a-changing, and contractors will have to be imaginative to adapt to them

  • Features

    Five ways to raise your company's profile

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    Where's your website? If you have a website then let everyone know about it. Include the address on your letterheads, any promotional material and on your business cards – wherever you can.And how about your address? For those with websites, make sure your address and telephone number are prominently displayed. ...

  • Features

    keeping up a facade

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    It's all very well designing buildings with extraordinary shapes, but do the architects ever stop to consider how the windows are going to be cleaned? Well, yes, actually, they do. Thomas Lane met the specialist who worked with Norman Foster on the Swiss Re tower

  • Features

    A summer chill

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    In this month's Tracker, Construction Forecasting and Research reports that activity across the construction industry declined in July, with large firms and civil engineers suffering the most

  • Features

    Focus on the regions

    2002-09-20T00:00:00Z

    How are activity levels and order books changing around the UK? The figures give the balance of firms reporting an increase compared with those reporting a decrease

  • Features

    Going mentor

    2002-09-19T18:41:00Z

    Teenager Rachel Babic is taking part in housebuilder Lovell's company mentoring scheme. Joanne Lambert asked her what she thought of the programme

  • Features

    Appointments

    2002-09-19T18:44:00Z

    ContractorsHampshire-based building contractor and developer Drew Construction Group has appointed Bill Rabbetts chairman. Amanda Allen, has become business development manager of fit-out and refurbishment company Vivid Interiors. HousebuildersKaren Ostler has joined housebuilder Lovell as business development manager for the Midlands region. She will be responsible for redevelopment and ...

  • Features

    The new man at the top

    2002-09-13T00:00:00Z

    The guessing is finally over. Peter Rogers has replaced Sir John Egan as head of the ultimate industry body, the strategic forum. Here he takes Marcus Fairs through his agenda – and explains where Egan went wrong.