Frank and Brown

9/11 has not been far from the news this week. But what does it mean to you?

(more…)

If the success of a building is measured by the energy and performance of those using it, then Cardiff International Pool must be one of the best. Saturday saw it host the Tiger Bay Open swimming gala – one of three events in 2010. With close to 700 children competing from over 40 clubs in Wales, England, Ireland and even Germany it was great sporting occasion and a test of its design and operation. (more…)

“No more repeats”, the latest piece by Building magazine on the BBC does not remove the doubt in my mind about their behaviour as a client. What is worse, the piece doesn’t pick out any lessons learned or how a more collaborative approach might have benefited everyone on the scheme. (more…)

Whilst there are reports that the economy is coming out of recession and in construction some of the bigger firms are reporting that things are less gloomy, it would appear that the supply side of the built environment is still making life difficult for itself.

On the one hand, there was a report in Building magazine that eBay tendering for sub-contracted services is on the increase. It has long been the case that the suppliers of materials are threatened with the proverbial dutch auction, but actual services is taking it to another level. (more…)