Opinion – Page 380

  • Comment

    Think again

    2009-04-03T00:00:00Z

    An open letter to heads of schools

  • Comment

    What troubled waters?

    2009-04-03T00:00:00Z

    Your report “RIBA in turmoil as faction presses for ‘radical change’” (27 March, page 13) is a surprising appearance of fantasy journalism in an otherwise excellent magazine

  • Comment

    All change

    2009-04-03T00:00:00Z

    Let’s not be naive. Consulting on ways to improve the energy performance of existing buildings is essential in identifying practical solutions in the fight against climate change (“Energy junkies”, 20 March, page 35)

  • Comment

    Can you help?

    2009-04-03T00:00:00Z

    In December 2003, my son Sebastian launched a campaign to fundraise for a purpose-built facility that would provide much-needed respite for families with seriously ill children

  • Denise Chevin
    Comment

    A horror story

    2009-04-03T00:00:00Z

    But what really infuriated the colleges and their teams is that the organisation continued to push them to spend their own money on projects that were effectively doomed

  • Comment

    Business doctor: advice on staying afloat

    2009-04-03T00:00:00Z

    So ڶ got a panel of experts together to tell them how to make it through the recession. You might want to get yourself a drink and listen in

  • Comment

    Another month another set of "worst ever" new orders figures

    2009-04-02T13:05:00Z

    The February figures for new orders were worse than the January figures which were the worst monthly figures ever recorded.There is perhaps little to add to the comments made last month other than to say if you are looking for optimism, perhaps the social housing sector may offer a few ...

  • Comment

    Contractors optimistic despite being trapped in mire of recession - says CIPS

    2009-04-02T12:38:00Z

    The buyers' body CIPS remained muted about the prospects for construction despite a slight lift in the construction industry.The main construction index published by CIPS rose to 30.9 for March up from a series low of 27.8 in February. That means that things were not getting as worse as quickly ...

  • Comment

    Nationwide springs pleasant surprise for house sellers and builders

    2009-04-02T10:49:00Z

    The latest analysis by the Nationwide of house prices suggests that this spring has brought with it an unexpected 0.9% bounce in the price of houses. This will add some more cheer to those currently enjoying the blue skies, sunshine and abundant blossom.With so much to feel good about in ...

  • Comment

    Homeowners turn their backs on using their homes as a bank

    2009-04-01T18:38:00Z

    I was intrigued by the response from the surveyors' body RICS to the latest Bank of England figures for Housing Equity Withdrawal.The figures show a continuation in the rapid repayment of housing debt, as the graph below shows, and this will have had a major impact on the recent decline ...

  • Comment

    Brown shoots are the new green shoots

    2009-04-01T14:06:00Z

    At a meeting recently I was chastised for being rather too glum, so I have been casting around of late for more colourful topics in these black times for construction.Positives are rather hard to find, but I had an interesting conversation this morning with an industry contact who has been ...

  • Richard Steer
    Comment

    About time, too

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    It may not float everyone’s boat, but the arrival (finally) of fresh QS Rules of Measurement is pretty exciting for cost managers. And they’re looking good, says Richard Steer

  • Bath
    Comment

    Wonders & blunders: Keith Bradley, Feilden Clegg Bradley

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    Keith Bradley loves his hometown of Bath. The old city of pleasure, with its meandering crescents, that is. Not the faux-Georgian monstrosity of the Southgate shopping centre

  • Comment

    Don’t lose your balance

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    Affordable housing may be one of the few lifelines for builders at the moment, but we must make sure we don’t fall back into the trap of creating ghettos for the poor

  • Comment

    Hobbies and/or interests

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    In tough times, it’s important to distract yourself with such activities as theatre rehearsals, horse racing and … er … whatever a former construction minister got up to in the House of Commons

  • When the energy rating was calculated for Daniel Libeskind’s Imperial War Museum in Manchester last September, it received a G, the lowest score
    Comment

    Don’t encourage them

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    As with the banking industry, we’ve seen an age where architectural incompetence and buffoonery was rewarded over professionalism

  • Comment

    Accentuate the positive

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    The role of all professionals in development and construction is already changing as a result of the recession

  • Comment

    Cut it out

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    I have just read your article “Robinson Low Francis slash staff pay 12.5%” (13 March, page 15)

  • Comment

    Keep the dream alive

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    Your article, “Death of a dream” (13 February, page 40) is perhaps to be questioned

  • Comment

    Figure it out

    2009-03-27T00:00:00Z

    Re: ‘Colleges delayed’, 20 February, page 10, BAM Construction has 11 colleges currently at approval in design stage and waiting further substantial funding from the Learning and Skills Council