黑洞社区

Accidents of birth

RIBA Gold Medallist 2014 Joseph Rykwert let rip during the Ecobuild event this week, lambasting British cities as 鈥渟ick鈥� and accusing government of 鈥渟ocial blindness鈥� on housing. Yet his words were delivered with a smile. How does the 87-year-old architectural historian stay chipper given his outlook, an audience member asked? He said sunnily: 鈥淢illions of people are dying in China of respiratory diseases. I鈥檓 lucky because I live in the suburbs of London.鈥� Also at Ecobuild, journalist Janet Street-Porter had a confession. Before her talk on mass media taking the environment more seriously, she admitted: 鈥淚 trained as an architect. I built two houses, neither were very eco-friendly. They were actually financial and mental suicide.鈥� Hopefully, sharing this was therapeutic.

A well-kept secret

Leading lights of UK construction gathered to toast the nominees in this year鈥檚 黑洞社区 Awards at our shortlist party last week. It was held at the rooftop bar of the Grange Hotel, which overlooks St Paul鈥檚 Cathedral and offers stunning views of London鈥檚 skyline. Before too much champagne was supped, it was clear to my hacks that the mood about the market was the most optimistic it has been for years. This bodes well for a good night at the awards proper on 2 April. A top notch comedian is signed up to host - but I鈥檓 afraid I鈥檓 keeping the identity under my hat!

Just one sugar for Paul, please

Is nothing sacred? News has reached us that every builder鈥檚 favourite hot brew - the builder鈥檚 tea - is not as sweet as it once was. A study by product manufacturer Origin, which focused on the likes and habits of 500 builders around the country, found that the builder鈥檚 tea now comes with one sugar, rather than two, that the average tradesman sinks six cups a day - with one in seven powering through with 10 hot drinks - while a chocolate digestive proved the biscuit of choice. According to the study, the average tradesman wakes up by 6.24am and is out of the front door by 7.20am on a week day. The survey also found that the average builder earns 拢26,000, supports Manchester United - and is called Paul. Who knew?

Good sportsmanship 鈥�

As spring starts to blossom, the thoughts of many turn to a series of gruelling annual sporting charity events. As you read this, 100 hardy souls are pedalling en route on the 1,500km journey to Cannes in time for the Mipim property conference. They hope to smash the fundraising target of 拢225,000 for a selection of charities, including Coram, which supports vulnerable children. Meanwhile, aid agency Care International is inviting teams to compete in the fifth annual Care Construction Challenge, which takes place on 29 June in Monmouthshire, and asks participants to cover a marathon distance on foot, bike and kayak. Visit www.cycle-to.org and
www.carechallenge.org.uk/construction challenge to find out more.

鈥� and expert rockers

Expertise Rocks! - cousin of industry battle of the bands Construction Rocks! - celebrated its second year at London鈥檚 100 Club last week. The musical charity fundraiser, for firms that provide expert witness services, saw last year鈥檚 winners Over the Hill - of Hill International - surrender their title to Proven to Rock! from regulatory response consultant Proven Legal Technologies. It was surprising to see quite how hard expert witnesses can rock. The judging panel included 黑洞社区 editor and music aficionado Sarah Richardson. Around 拢5,000 will go to the winner鈥檚 nominated charity Asthma UK. Congratulations to Proven to Rock! and to Stuart Wilks from Hill who organised the event.