1. Political correctness at Oxford University
Herzog & de Meuron’s Blavatnik School of Government presented huge strategic challenges, but Laing O’Rourke applied offsite techniques on a unique landmark with an innovative glazed facade. Tom Ravenscroft reports. Read more…
2. BBC to tackle housing crisis with Million Homes Challenge offsite showcase
The BBC is seeking four offsite housing manufacturers to showcase their products on a site in Manchester, for a three-part BBC 2 series looking at how housing production can be stepped up to address the current shortfall. Read more…
3. Smart pavements a mainstream option after Pavegen slashes price
The cost of “smart” paving tiles that generate electrical power from human footfall will drop below £600/sq m this year, bringing them closer in line with high-end landscaping options for the first time, their inventor has claimed. Read more…
4. BIM for Building Regs software plug-ins could be launched by October
Plug-ins for design software that could guide designers on whether or not they have achieved compliance with the Approved Documents that make up the Building Regulations could be commercially available by October 2016. Read more…
5. BCEG signs BIM deal with University of Huddersfield
Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG), one of the world’s 50th largest contractors, has signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with Huddersfield University to develop its use of BIM. Read more…
6. The CIC BIM Protocol – A three-part approach
John Ford, business information manager at Carillion, offers his advice on the often misunderstood CIC BIM Protocol and how it should be deployed correctly. Read more…
7. Offsite: The building built by Ghurkas
Eight ex-Gurkhas unskilled in construction built a defect-free pharmaceuticals facility from components delivered in shipping containers. Does GSK’s Factory in a Box show the way forward for construction? Read more…
8. Mayor were they? CIOB disappointed at mayoral candidate no-shows at hustings
London mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith were not present at the hustings on housing, infrastructure and growth hosted by the CIOB, RICS and the RIBA last month. Read more…
9. Lords debate triggers BIS retentions review
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has commissioned a full review of the industry practice of holding retentions, possibly leading to new measures limiting their use and offering additional protection in the event of an insolvency. Read more…
10. Guide to BIM Msc courses
There are a growing number of options for graduates looking to gain postgraduate BIM education. BIM+ invited the course leaders of universities throughout the UK to explain what their courses offer, and why students should study with them.
Top in Management
How to be a poor expert witness – a judge’s guide
Stephanie Geesink of Trowers & Hamlins reviews the damning judgement from the bench on the expert witness in a recent construction case. Read more…
Top in BIM Case studies
BIM at the Blavatnik – Laing O’Rourke on course at Oxford University
In Oxford, Laing O’Rourke has constructed a bespoke building with a complex geometry to house the university’s new Blavatnik School of Government. Read more…
Top in International
Mile high tower proposed for Tokyo Bay
US architect Kohn Pedersen Fox and structural engineer Leslie E Robertson Associates have proposed the creation of a new city in Tokyo Bay that will include a “cloud harvesting” mile-high residential tower and a Hyperloop transport system. Read more…
Top in Comment
Vox pop: With an EU referendum looming, what are the key issues for the industry?
The debate on whether to stay in the European Union or leave is likely to polarise the construction industry. Our respondents are broadly in favour of staying in, drawing the ire of some readers. Read more…
