05 December 2013

Why building for the future means thinking green

Debates about sustainability do not occur in a vacuum. Population growth is one variable that can put huge pressure on the environment and, if the figures from the Office for National Statistics are anything to go by, then that pressure is only going to increase in the UK. According to the ONS’s latest figures, the[…]

  • 05 December 2013

03 December 2013

Stroma Certification’s ECO Engine approved by Ofgem for all measures

The software carries out the approved methodology for ECO scoring by using an automated process for quick and simple calculations and features an online tool and web interface that are compatible with existing CRM systems. The ECO Engine programme forms part of Stroma Certification’s existing Green Deal and ECO software, with multiple solutions available to[…]

  • 03 December 2013

29 November 2013

Future proofing MRF design crucial for improving quality of products

Director of resource recovery specialist Axion Consulting, Keith Freegard, advised industry representatives that the need for the design concept is vital if managers want to improve the quality of products and gain more profit from multi-million pound investments. Key ideas put forward at the conference included the benefits of installing effective management information systems to[…]

  • 29 November 2013

26 November 2013

Construction activity up 50% and mandatory CCTV on all new buildings

Construction activity up 50% and mandatory CCTV on all new buildings Industry news last week included a report from BarbourABI that construction activity grew by 50% in October compared to the same month last year; the UK Green Building Council warn of job losses by Christmas if government rolls back green levies; the Labour Party[…]

  • 26 November 2013

22 November 2013

Energy Performance Contracting

What is an Energy Performance Contract (EPC)? An Energy Performance Contract (EPC) is a contractual and funding mechanism which provides energy efficiency retrofit to a building to improve its energy performance while minimising risk to the building’s owner. Any upfront capital investment is recouped through energy cost savings over a period of time, usually between[…]

  • 22 November 2013

14 November 2013

Green initiatives under threat as building boom gains pace, plus focus on London at Paris construction show

Green initiatives under threat as building boom gains pace True to form, when politicians have the hand on the tiller, get the life jackets on. The latest looming disaster is the possible roll-back of support for green initiatives, resulting from the UK Government spin-war with the energy companies. Here are links to open letters from[…]

  • 14 November 2013

30 October 2013

World’s best architects for Battersea plus construction growth beats Olympics

I live near Battersea power station, made famous by Pink Floyd’s inflatable pigs flying through its massive chimneys back in the seventies. The long overdue redevelopment of this iconic site will be at the heart of the regeneration of south London, not least because two of the world’s best architects, Frank Geary & Norman Foster,[…]

  • 30 October 2013

22 October 2013

Report on first UK renewable district heating from rivers plus latest Buildingtalk newsletter

First UK renewable district heat from rivers plus a nation of self-builders Buildingtalk was invited to the opening of the first UK community heating scheme powered by energy sourced from river water which is being built by the Thames at Kingston. Ed Davey, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, switched on the[…]

  • 22 October 2013

15 October 2013

New technology means faster building projects set-up

Follow the links below for more details, and remember too that Buildingtalk offers instant access to both CAD and BIM files from a wide range of companies via FastrackCAD.  Latest happy stats include private house building up 1.6% from July to August and 18.1% growth year-on-year; and overall construction output is up 4% on a[…]

  • 15 October 2013

08 October 2013

Choosing the right passenger lifts and other industry news

From Buildingtalk Editor, Howard Chapman…. Stannah has published a new white paper on specifying passenger lifts and is offering those who download it an opportunity to get their hands on a new iPad Mini. Meanwhile, Schal is offering useful details for building managers on Display Energy Certificates, including how to avoid financial penalties. Our latest[…]

  • 08 October 2013