黑洞社区

The Netherlands鈥� building management simulation centre is housed in the Crystalic 黑洞社区, a giant glass pyramid whose construction apparently bankrupted its developer. Every taxi driver in Leeuwarden tells us how much everyone hates it. Hardly an auspicious beacon for young construction trainees.

Derek from Arup is pretty impressed by it though. 鈥淚t makes me want to design one like it myself,鈥� he sighs as our taxi draws near. Derek is working on the design of the British centre 鈥� 鈥渆verything except the simulator,鈥� he says - and is here to meet with his Dutch counterpart. Not before having a go in the simulator, though.

When we get inside, we meet Dave from the NHBC and Tony from a Major Construction Company. Dave is extremely excited about the simulator. Unfortunately, the Dutch cuisine has interfered with his constitution to such an extent that he has to keep dashing out to use the Crystalic bathrooms. In between visits, he tells me about the NHBC鈥檚 interest in the project. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to have someone doing something as new and interesting as this,鈥� he enthuses. 鈥淚 really think it could be a boost for the industry.鈥�

Tony鈥檚 nominally here to advise on how the Coventry BMSC can incorporate British training standards, but I suspect the UK representatives are rather hoping Tony鈥檚 employers will invest in the centre, which is still searching for about an eighth of its budget. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I鈥檓 travelling with him!鈥� says one British representative, with a matey wink. The training centre is a three hour train ride from Schiphol airport. I hope Tony鈥檚 negotiating skills are good.

After an hour of presentations, the four of us are ushered into the simulator. We each don a hard hat and wander through the avenue of site huts towards the fabled virtual reality building site. At first glimpse, I feel like I鈥檓 in a giant version of Grand Theft Auto. I wonder if there鈥檚 a way to jump into a JCB and go on a crime spree.

Lance, the cheery CIOB training manager, tells us that people are often overwhelmed by the gigantic screen: 鈥淟ast week, we had one of our directors in here,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 had to hold her by the back of her coat to make sure she didn鈥檛 fall over!鈥� You do find yourself leaning forward as you move around the 鈥榮ite鈥�. It鈥檚 like the 3D theatre at Alton Towers, but without the wacky glasses. Dave looks suspiciously green.

After a minute or two in front of the screen, the simulation director claps his hands. Derek, Tony, Dave and I stop what we鈥檙e doing.

鈥淲e鈥檙e ready for you!鈥� he says. 鈥淭ime to become a site manager!鈥�

I gulp, and gingerly touch my hard hat. I hope I鈥檓 not going to need it.