Tag: built
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Kevin McCloud says ‘heat pumps aren’t good for poorly built, leaky houses… but neither are gas boilers’
Kevin McCloud, known for his expertise in home design and sustainability, remains a strong advocate for heat pumps as a greener alternative to traditional gas boilers. Despite their growing popularity, McCloud acknowledges that heat pumps are not a universal solution, especially for homes that are poorly constructed or lack proper insulation, but neither are gas…
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An oak frame future-proofed home built with space for all the family
Since moving into her home village in 1993 with her husband and three boys, homeowner Pauline has formed strong roots to the area. The original core of her previous oak frame cottage was made of reused 16th-century timbers from a nearby old dairy – even some recycled ship timbers. “Over the years, we added several…
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Built to Last: What Good Design Looks Like Today
In a world dominated by fleeting trends and disposable products, the concept of durability is making a strong comeback. “Built to last” isn’t just a nostalgic nod to the past—it’s a principle guiding some of the most exciting design work happening today. Good design is no longer just about beauty or function; it’s about resilience,…
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Built to Last: What Good Design Looks Like Today
In a world dominated by fleeting trends and disposable products, the concept of durability is making a strong comeback. “Built to last” isn’t just a nostalgic nod to the past—it’s a principle guiding some of the most exciting design work happening today. Good design is no longer just about beauty or function; it’s about resilience,…
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In pictures | Bespoke ground shoring built for challenging large excavation
Temporary works specialist Altrad RMD Kwikform has provided a bespoke ground shoring and formwork structure for K Rouse Civil Engineering for the construction of the Fujifilm Borealis biotech manufacturing facility in Billingham. The project involved a 10m-deep excavation in a confined industrial environment, which required a bracing system (‘GeoBrace’) with a modular hydraulic design for…
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Will the UK’s solar power boom be built on the back of slave labour?
Is the UK’s clean energy transition at risk of being powered by modern slavery? That was the stark question raised in a heated Parliamentary debate on the Great British Energy Bill, as MPs clashed over whether the government is doing enough to prevent solar panels linked to forced labour from entering the UK’s energy supply…
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Grand Designs couple struggle with ambitious ‘floating home’ built on water
In the latest episode of Grand Designs Kevin Mccloud meets a couple who have the idea to create a “floating home”. Howard and Sarah’s idea was to build a house on water, designed to adapt to rising tides and changing water levels. However, the reality of constructing such a unique structure came with several unexpected…
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Industry says Planning & Infrastructure Bill offers a ‘blueprint for the future, but will it be built to last?’
The government’s newly introduced Planning & Infrastructure Bill has ignited discussions across the industry, with its promise to accelerate housing construction and infrastructure delivery. From speeding up planning decisions to reforms on compulsory purchase orders, the bill touches various aspects of the planning process that could reshape the landscape of housing and development. But will…
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Venture Capital in the Built Environment: Still Strong, but Shifting Gears
The built environment startup arena is still buzzing, but the way money is flowing is definitely changing. According to the latest BuiltWorlds 2024 Venture & Investments Report, venture capital (VC) deal volume is up, but the total amount of cash coming in has dropped. In other words, investors are still writing checks, just smaller ones…
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‘I’m staying put’ 87-year-old refuses to leave home built by his grandfather despite growing 65ft sinkhole
As a massive 65ft sinkhole continues to grow in Godstone, swallowing road and pavement alike, 87-year-old Bren Davis stands firm in his decision not to evacuate. Despite evacuation orders, the lifelong resident of the historic home says, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been here too long. This house was built to last.” While the sinkhole…