Opinion – Page 380
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Comment
What troubled waters?
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
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All change
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)
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Can you help?
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
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Comment
A horror story
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
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Comment
Business doctor: advice on staying afloat
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
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Comment
Another month another set of "worst ever" new orders figures
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 ...
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Contractors optimistic despite being trapped in mire of recession - says CIPS
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 ...
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Comment
Nationwide springs pleasant surprise for house sellers and builders
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 ...
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Homeowners turn their backs on using their homes as a bank
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 ...
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Comment
Brown shoots are the new green shoots
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 ...
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Comment
About time, too
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
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Wonders & blunders: Keith Bradley, Feilden Clegg Bradley
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
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Comment
Don’t lose your balance
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
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Hobbies and/or interests
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
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Comment
Don’t encourage them
As with the banking industry, we’ve seen an age where architectural incompetence and buffoonery was rewarded over professionalism
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Comment
Accentuate the positive
The role of all professionals in development and construction is already changing as a result of the recession
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Comment
Cut it out
I have just read your article “Robinson Low Francis slash staff pay 12.5%” (13 March, page 15)
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Comment
Keep the dream alive
Your article, “Death of a dream” (13 February, page 40) is perhaps to be questioned
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Figure it out
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