PBC Today August 2020 Related News
Modular Building Institute: The voice of commercial modular construction
As the Voice of Commercial Modular Construction™, it is MBI’s mission to expand the use of offsite construction through innovative construction practices.
Whose job is it to improve the UK new homes industry?
Everyone knows the UK is facing a housing shortage. Pete Griffin, director of key nationals at Premier Guarantee, examines the big question: how do we improve things?
Project management software boosts business visibility and control
The Carey Group has realised a number of benefits since adopting Elecosoft’s project management software, Powerproject Vision a year ago.
Could vehicle tracking dashboards make your fleet more productive?
Operational dashboards provide you a live summary of data that your vehicle tracking system collects. Quartix dashboards are a good choice for your business vehicle tracking needs.
Insurance implications of the new timber frame fire safety in use...
Marcus Saunders, client service executive for construction at Gallagher, tells us what the new research from the Structural Timber Association (STA) into fire safety could mean for insuring timber framed properties.
Build-Zone secures backing from major A-rated insurer
Leading UK 10-year structural warranty provider, Build-Zone, has secured backing from XL Catlin Insurance Company (UK) Ltd, part of AXA XL.
Architecture’s innovators
How a small North West architectural practice proved it could punch above its weight, landing a series of prestigious projects and transforming Liverpool’s cityscape.
Beyond the pandemic: Creating healthier environments for communities
For many people living across the UK, easily accessible, high quality green space has become more important than ever. Ben Kite, managing director at Ecological Planning & Research, says this must drive a commitment to healthier environments for all.
Build, build, build: Will Boris Johnson’s “New Deal” deliver?
PBC Today takes a look at the industry’s reaction to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “New Deal” plan to get Britain building again after Covid-19.
PBC Today August 2020
Welcome to PBC Today August 2020. In this edition, we examine the continuing impact of Covid-19 on the construction industry, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call to "build, build, build", government proposals to radically overhaul the planning system and the sector's road to recovery in the "new normal".
How agile, data-driven strategies will drive high street recovery
Town centres already struggling with changing shopping habits and shifting footfall have been put under extreme stress by Covid-19. The road to recovery will depend on agile, data-driven decision making, says Steve Scott, executive leader of GHD Advisory UK.
Put homes at the heart of the country’s coronavirus recovery
Our homes have been a shelter from the storm during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now a new campaign, spearheaded by the National Housing Federation, is calling on the government to ensure social housing is central to the country’s recovery.
Timber frame construction and sustainability
Richard Allen, sales director at specialist timber panel manufacturer MEDITE SMARTPLY, explores how timber frame construction could help us rise to sustainability challenges.
Housebuilders urge the government not to forget about retirees
While much has been written about the challenges faced by first-time buyers struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder this summer, Advantage Home Construction Insurance looks at why developers are warning we can’t afford to ignore the housing needs of older people.
Driverless vehicles: Coming to a city street near you soon…
Driverless cars promised cities much, but have conspicuously failed to arrive – has something gone wrong with driverless technology?
Creating a digital map of underground assets
The Geospatial Commission has partnered with Ordnance Survey and the Greater London Authority to develop a National Underground Asset Register that will digitally map the world beneath our feet.
Secondary glazing transforms derelict listed rail station
As part of a £120m redevelopment scheme at Peterborough’s Fletton Quays, Granada Glazing was selected to design, manufacture and install bespoke arched secondary glazing systems to decrease this building’s carbon footprint and heat loss.
Offsite construction and pre-manufacture
TRADA examines the offsite construction landscape and asks if the right drivers and economic conditions are in place for a step-change in its adoption.
Modular technology pivotal in school rebuilding programme
The Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA) has publicly supported the government’s transformative 10-year school rebuilding programme backed by over £1bn in funding.
Covid-19 can leave construction with a digital legacy
2020 was set to be a big year for digital transformation in construction before the pandemic hit the industry. However, Ibrahim Imam of PlanRadar, says the crisis can serve as a catalyst that leaves a positive digital legacy.
Problems in the pipeline: Negotiating rights to subsurface infrastructure
As competition continues to mount for increasingly scarce development land, Emily Tetley-Jones of law firm Fieldfisher discusses the practical and legal issues arising from the often-conflicting interests of developers and pipeline operators.
Covid-19 holds the key to quicker and cheaper construction disputes
Bill Barton, director of Barton Legal, says there is no reason why virtual hearings cannot become the norm for resolving construction disputes, bringing significant time and cost savings to an often tortuously slow and expensive process.
Managing healthy humidity in a Covid world
Dave Marshall-George of Condair looks at how businesses can adhere to guidance on indoor humidity levels post-lockdown.
A fabric first approach to bridge the performance gap
A fabric first mindset is needed to help close the building performance gap and create thermally efficient homes, says Simon Blackham, technical manager at Recticel Insultation.
Scaffolding: Reaching greater heights with technology
Mattias Kuduk, VDC and innovation manager at global temporary access provider HAKI, discusses the technologies that are having a positive impact on a sector where safety, quality and performance are high demands on a project’s agenda.
How modular technology is helping education build programmes
Many are concerned about the impact Covid-19 will have on education. It is therefore even more important that school building programmes get back on track. Here, MPBA chief executive Jackie Maginnis considers how Modern Methods of Construction can assist.