News update - September 2007

A brief synopsis of some of the key news items related to technical guidance, construction practice, and new regulations that you might have missed in the press.

Construction orders up
The total volume of construction output rose by 3 per cent. New work jumped 6 per cent, with increases in all sectors except public non-housing and infrastructure output in the 12 months to June 30. Public housing sector new work jumped by 23 per cent, while private commercial output rose by 15 per cent. New construction work in the private industrial sector increased by 7 per cent, while new private housing work was 3 per cent up. Repair and maintenance work in the private non-housing sector was up 6 per cent, while housing repair and maintenance work in the public sector rose by 3 per cent. But the total volume of repair and maintenance work saw a downturn, falling 1 per cent overall. Repair work in the public non-housing sector plummeted 11 per cent, while housing repair work in the private sector dropped 3 per cent. New work in the public non-housing sector (excluding infrastructure) was 4 per cent lower and new infrastructure output fell by 8 per cent.
CN Plus, 7th September 2007

Home Information Packs
The average four-bedroom house is getting an E energy rating, according to a survey following the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs. The Government said that the rating of houses could potentially rise to C if consumers took measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation. By carrying out basic energy efficient measures householders could save £180 on heating, £60 on lighting and £30 on hot water bills, the Communities and Local Government department said. The top 5 recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been: cavity wall insulation, changing to low energy lighting, putting thermostatic valves on radiators, loft insulation, and double glazing. Home Information Packs have been extended to three-bedroom houses.
Building Online, 11th September 2007

Home Office Design Review Panel suspended
Only two years after its formation the Home Office’s Design Review Panel (HODRP) has been frozen and its future is ‘undecided’. The panel – formed in 2005 on the coat-tails of Tony Blair’s Better Public Building initiative – has responsibility for the design quality of the Home Office’s building portfolio, including the UK’s prisons, immigration centres and the police stations of 43 forces. The reason for the enforced hiatus is believed to be down to funding, however, the creation of a new Ministry of Justice department in June – which will control the UK’s prisons – would also significantly reduce the panel’s workload.
AJ Plus, 12th September 2007

Merton Rule
There are warnings that the government's proposed U-turn on the Merton rule (which requires developments to source at least 10% of their energy from renewable sources) may be illegal under the terms of the 2004 Energy Act.
The Guardian, 7th September 2007

Quality of Life report gives architects a leading voice
The Conservative Party will give architects a seat at the political top table if it wins the next general election. Under plans for a “green revolution” set out in the Tories’ Quality of Life policy report “Blueprint for a Green Economy”, the party would support the institute’s bid to become a leading voice in Whitehall.
Read the report in full
BD Online, 14th September

Rates boost for demolition
Changes to the rates system in the UK due to come into force from April 2008 are fuelling a growth in the demolition of derelict or disused industrial properties. Currently, owners of such properties qualify for 100% relief, but the new changes will mean that, following a six-month rate free period, they will be liable for the full charge. The managing director of demolition contractor, Freeley said: “We’re finding an increasing number of owners of disused industrial buildings are turning to demolition because they realise that rates are not levied on cleared sites. A typical disused factory building with a rateable value of £200,000 could attract annual rates of £88,200 when the new rules come in next year. Demolition of that building and site clearance would cost a fraction of that.”
KHL’s World Construction Week, 5th September 2007

Risk of death on one in three refurb sites say HSE
HSE inspectors visited 1,500 refurbishment sites over two months and had to take enforcement action on 426 occasions. The statistics come as part of a drive by HSE inspectors to improve health and safety practices in the refurbishment and housebuilding sectors. Over half of the enforcement action taken over the period related to dangerous work at height. In 2006/07, there were 77 fatal accidents in construction, the highest total for five years and a 28% rise on the previous year.
Contract Journal, 11th September 2007

Eurocodes for glass and FRP composites
A new Shortcut has been produced explaining the meaning of Eurocodes and European standards harmonization. Two additional Eurocodes could be produced to cover the increasing use of structural glass and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in the construction industry. If approved, the new codes could sit alongside the six material-specific sets of Eurocodes that currently cover concrete, steel, composite steel and concrete, timber, masonry and aluminium. For more information visit www.eurocodes.co.uk.

Germany
Nederland-based architect Rem Koolhaas is to head an international jury to choose an architect for Germany’s 578 m high Grosse Pyramide, or “A Tomb for All People”, in Dessau. The pyramid, which could be the largest man made structure “of all time”, is backed by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes and is the brainchild of Ingo Niermann and Jens Thiel. Mr Thiel said costs for those wishing to be buried in the Pyramid would be between € 300 and € 700. Although this depends on the final materials used and therefore the final construction costs, he added. Construction is expected to start in early 2008 and could take 30 years.
KHL’s World Construction Week, 5th September 2007

USA
More than 28 panes of glass have cracked on the exterior of David Chipperfield Architects’ Lubetkin Prize-shortlisted Des Moines Public Library in Iowa. An investigation is being carried out at the 17-month-old building to find out why the glass has cracked and who should pay for it. Each replacement window will cost around $8,000 (£4,000) to install on the $22.5 million (£11.2 million) building. The panes reportedly began to crack before the first book was even checked out of the library, and 28 have had to be replaced since the building opened in April 2006. The building is wrapped in an energy-efficient glass and metal skin. A copper mesh is laminated between three sheets of glass, giving the two-storey structure its distinctive look.
AJ Plus, 7th September 2007

Events

Anthony Caro: New Sculptures
Until October 27, Annely Juda Fine Art, 4th Floor, 23 Dering Street, (off New Bond Street) London.
Once assistant to Henry Moore, Anthony Caro has gone on to become one of the leading sculptors of the 20th century. Now in his 80s, he is showing new galvanised work in this latest exhibition. For more information visit www.annelyjudafineart.co.uk.

Back to the Future: Sir Basil Spence, 1907-76, Celebration of a Modern Architect
October 9-February 10 Dean Gallery, National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh.
A smaller exhibition drawn from the Sir Basil Spence Archive will also be touring this autumn and early next year.

Strange but true...

Amazing Upside Down House
Daniel Czapiewski, a Polish businessman, has built an upside down house to remind people of wrongdoings against humanity. It took 114 days to build the structure - a typical project made by Czapiewski's corporation which specializes in wooden houses, would normally take 21 days to construct. His workers had to take a one in three hours break because they were feeling disorientated and confused from the strange angles of the walls.
ArchNewsNow.com, 5th September 2007