rethinking construction - ten years after

From Constructing Excellence:
Reviewing change in the UK construction industry and the next ten years, your chance to shape the future of the industry by learning from the past
CE are reviewing the last ten years of improvement and its impact, kick-started by John Egan’s landmark report - Rethinking Construction - and before that the Latham [...]

second life building

I have been talking about building within second life recently to a number of people and groups. Without actually experiencing second life it is difficult to grasp how individuals, all working from computers in different countries can work collaboratively to design and construct a building.
The following time lapse video may go some way to [...]

resource efficiency could save construction industry millions

The latest report from the EA (The Environment Agency Science Report - The economic and environmental benefits of resource efficiency in construction ) calls for better resource management in construction. For this to happen, the report recommends

The Grid Works

SLengineer has changed its name to Grid Works with its latest issue to reflect the magazine’s goal of documenting and reporting how companies and people are using online services and tools to support and enhance their work in engineering and science related fields. Available as pdf here
in this issue:
Walking into the Map [...]

on learning from eco-challenges …

What can we learn from the fact that bidders are pulling out of the next carbon-challenge project at Peterborough? (Shortlisted bidders flee from EP flagship project)
Could it be English Partnerships are using a traditional, cost based procurement route? Even with PQQ and other ability or capability ‘gates’ selection may still be based [...]

on building school futures …

school things on my radar this weekend…
In May the Lancashire Construction Best Practice Club will be held at Devonshire School, Blackpool an exemplar school that is a significant step forward in the design of learning environments for young children. Details of the event and site visit will be posted on the Events pages [...]

virtual world collaboration

As I have been developing an exciting project in Second Life recently, collaborating in-world (as they say) with people across the US, in the UK, Switzerland and elsewhere - but more on that later - the emerging virtual world collaboration concepts have been rattling around my brain, emails and blogs that I read.
Whilst I [...]

LL Bean- Sustainability and Sensitivity

For an excellent and refreshing read of a collaborative project that is aligned to and sensitive to nature, read the the account of the new fishing store development at LL Bean (an old haunt of mine when living in New England many years back) on the Building Design and Construction website

JCT legally binding sustainability contracts?

To reinforce that we cannot address sustainability, carbon reduction and waste management from a hearts and minds, save the planet for future generations, common sense point of view and approach, JCT have started a consultation process as to which sustainability items should be made contractual within JCT forms of contract, as in legally binding commitments.
Details [...]

Walking the walk - design resources

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently launched  “Walk the Walk,” , a multi-faceted campaign to educate, promote and encourage sustainable design among consumers, business owners and architects. 
(It is a pity they don’t include builders, fm and end users in that list.  Sustainability is a collaboartive approach, across all project and facilities stakeholders.)
Walk the [...]