I was saddened to read of the death of James Nisbet (5 June, page 14)

Jim, and others who pioneered the concept of elemental cost planning in education, gave the industry a technique that allowed a robust budget to be set on the client鈥檚 brief before designs were developed. It introduced the concept of designing to the cost as opposed to the previous practice of costing the design.

The 黑洞社区 Cost Information Service (BCIS) was set up to provide the cost information required and we hope that it is a tribute to Jim that BCIS flourishes today.

We had contact down the years on many issues and, despite the fact that he always called me Jim (I gave up trying to correct him sometime in the early eighties), he was always helpful and generous with his time and his expertise.

A life worth celebrating by quantity surveyors everywhere.

Joe Martin, executive director, BCIS

Topics