More Focus – Page 544

  • Features

    David Anderson

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    The new group managing director of O'Rourke has a reputation in contracting that means the subbie is probably glad to have him on its side. So, what plans does he have for the firm?

  • Features

    Turned out nice again

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    It may have been voted Britain's third most popular modern building in a recent poll, but in reality, this 1930s people's palace has become tatty outside and garish inside. This is what John McAslan & Partners is doing about it.

  • Features

    Every second counts

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Structural engineers on a tight deadline no longer have to wait for the postman to deliver steelwork costings. Barrett Steel ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓs' on-line service can prepare a quote in two minutes flat.

  • Features

    Column inches

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Four men were crushed to death when a three-storey office collapsed on them in 1995. Five years later the truth has come out. The lessons we can learn should last much longer than this building did.

  • Features

    Without a safety net

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    If you don't write a net contribution clause into your contract, you may find yourself paying all the damages for a breach that others are also responsible for. And it's not just insolvency that can land you in it …

  • Features

    Did we have a deal?

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Sometimes, parties seem to fall over themselves to help with their lawyers' home extension plans. For example, here's the tangle that results when the existence of a contract is disputed.

  • Features

    Clash points

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Everyone thinks there's still a place for nomination, but clients are deterred from doing it because it shovels a ludicrous amount of risk on to them. Time for contractors to shoulder a little more of the burden?

  • Features

    International Costings

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ's annual worldwide round-up looks at building costs, labour rates, materials prices and inflation.

  • Features

    Appointments

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Contractors John Rivett has joined Wates Construction as its first design director.RW Buxton has appointed Paul Tooth construction manager for the West Midlands.Graham Hosking has been promoted to Cornwall area manager at Midas Construction. Also in Cornwall, Martin Walton has been made business development manager and Steve Luck construction manager. ...

  • Features

    The player

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    The Institute of Management's Karen Dale explains how to become an expert office politician and stay ahead of the game.

  • Features

    Anti-ageing formula

    2000-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Boots' 1960s head office has been imperceptibly updated so that a building that was beautiful on the outside but showing its age on the inside now works as a whole.

  • Features

    Now arriving: London's mega projects

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    A new breed of super-scheme is set to transform the capital over the next few years as bigger-than-ever projects move off the drawing-board. What's going on where?

  • Features

    Allan Leighton

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    Wilson Connolly's new non-executive deputy chairman plans to revolutionise UK housebuilding using the techniques he learned in his day job – as Asda chief executive.

  • Features

    If it's good enough for Farrell …

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    … it's good enough for other architects. Munkenbeck + Marshall's latest London loft conversion scheme is home to a host of designers, including Terry Farrell.

  • Features

    Cladding: the new rules

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    A fatal fire in a Scottish tower block last year triggered a review of cladding systems. As a result, the ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ Regulations may be amended. What will it mean for manufacturers, installers and specifiers?

  • Features

    IT: Virtual company Liquid asset

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    London architect Fluid Design doesn't have an office, but thanks to e-mail and mobile phones, it's finding that it doesn't need one. One day, all young design practices could work this way.

  • Features

    Take notice!

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    The industry does not always seem to take the payment provisions in the Construction Act completely seriously. The latest court ruling on adjudication shows this to be an unwise attitude.

  • Features

    All for one, and one for all?

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    There are rumours that the JCT plans to produce a partnering contract. A good idea, but it would mean a fundamental rethink of the way construction contracts are drafted. Is the JCT serious?

  • Features

    Sacking offences

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    If employees cannot do their jobs because they become disabled, they now have new rights and, from April, a commission to enforce them. What does this mean for employers?

  • Features

    Tender price forecast

    2000-02-11T00:00:00Z

    A combination of escalating labour costs and workload growth pushed tender prices up an average of 5% across the country and 7% in London last year, and all the signs are that the trend is set to continue for at least the next two.