In pictures: The best images from October

17 sustainable projects selected to feature in COP26 virtual exhibition

A total of 17 exemplary sustainable projects will feature in a virtual exhibition during COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference. The exhibition, called Build Better Now, aims to showcase the role buildings and cities can play as a solution to climate change.

International projects to be showcased include: the Sara Cultural Centre, Skellefteå, Sweden, one of the world’s tallest timber buildings; Powerhouse Brattørkaia, Trondheim, Norway, the world’s northernmost energy-positive building; The Enterprise Centre, University of East Anglia, built by Morgan Sindall, which features traditional materials including thatch cladding; and the Heart of School, Green School Bali, Indonesia, built using bamboo.

Office scheme to honour sculptor with suspended artwork

A piece of public art dedicated to West Midlands artist John Pickering is to be installed at the 103 Colmore Row office development in Birmingham. The 1.5 tonne, 7m-long sculpture, Equinox, will be suspended 9m above the ground.

It is being manufactured by fabricator Structural Stairways in Brierley Hill, Dudley, using solid steel tubes and laser-cut metal sheets.

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The Art of Building photo competition opens

The Art of Building, the world’s biggest photography competition for the built environment, has returned and is open for entries. Last year’s winners included James Retief, who was awarded the Judges’ Prize for his artistic representation of Big Ben and its ongoing renovations.

The free competition is open until 20 November. For more details and to enter, log on to www.artofbuilding.org.

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Multiplex targets more female employees with flexible working plan

Multiplex has adopted a new flexible working plan called ‘Multiple Flex’ as part of a bid to increase the number and influence of women working in the business. Options under the scheme include flexitime, early Friday finishes, weekend time off in lieu, nine-day fortnight compressed hours, teleworking and four-day weeks, and remote working.