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Going overboard

Last week鈥檚 Government Construction Summit included a rare opportunity to hear from probably the most respected and enigmatic figure in the sector, Ray O鈥橰ourke. At the gala dinner, the Laing O鈥橰ourke chair and chief executive seemed to enjoy comedian Rory Bremner鈥檚 take on the industry, despite a jibe at the expense of his waistline - which O鈥橰ourke nonetheless took in very good spirit. But crueller still was the charity auction that followed, which saw O鈥橰ourke pit himself against BIM software provider Autodesk in a bidding war for a yachting trip for eight.

After some frenetic bidding O鈥橰ourke was eventually forced to concede defeat at 拢2,100 - with Autodesk securing the day out with a hefty 拢2,200 donation. We know Laing O鈥橰ourke has led the industry with its uptake of new technology, but it must have hurt to be beaten by BIM in this way.

Bundle of laughs

Bremner clearly did his research before taking to the stage at the gala dinner, with a smattering of jokes inspired by the construction industry. Among his many and varied impressions - taking in everyone from the Queen to David Cameron - Bremner included a joke on the government鈥檚 Construction Strategy. 鈥淭his joke is 20% cheaper and will be done in half the time,鈥� Bremner quipped. Before adding: 鈥淚鈥檓 glad that joke worked - I modelled it in BIM beforehand.鈥�

Closer to home

Returning to Ray O鈥橰ourke, having spent a good deal of time at the Government Construction Summit extolling the virtues of his firm鈥檚 pre-assembled concrete homes, it came as something of a surprise to find that he has no such proposals for his own home. O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 plans to demolish and rebuild his Essex home were knocked back again this week, after the Planning Inspectorate rejected an appeal against local planners鈥� earlier refusal of his scheme. According to the inspectorate鈥檚 report, O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 planned new home features 鈥渉andmade plain clay tiles鈥�; 鈥渉andmade timber windows and doors鈥� and 鈥渉and crafted chimney stacks鈥�. So much for practising what you preach.

Caught on camera

Engineer Hilson Moran put on arguably the week鈥檚 most unusual do at London鈥檚 Developing City exhibit last Tuesday, after drafting in a photobooth for guests and staff to pose in. To the dismay of some, the event organisers projected some of the photos on to the wall of the venue for all to see midway through the evening. Take note: a photobooth appears to be a great way to embarrass your clients as well as entertaining them.

Living by the sword

The Construction Industry Council opted for an unusual venue for its summer reception - an armoury covered wall-to-wall with medieval weaponry. London鈥檚 700-year-old Armourers Hall, filled with swords, spears and suits of armour, was a dramatic setting. It seemed a fitting choice for CIC boss Graham Watts - a former Team GB Olympic fencer. There were murmurings from guests the well-armed venue could symbolise a tough new approach from the CIC, but this was laughed off by organisers 鈥�