Will we see a rise in self builders?
In Austria, 80% of homes are self-built, whereas the number in the UK barely exceeds 10%. However, with the UK Government’s recent announcement that...
The time is now for action on BIM
2017 is the year when BIM comes to the fore for those involved in the Scottish built environment. Here, Leanne McMillan, sustainable development and...
Environmental monitoring in groundworks: clearing the way for new homes
With available building space at a premium in the UK, there has been an increasing push to convert disused brownfield land into new housing....
Sustainable innovations for saving water
By Andrew Leah, general manager of Duraproducts
THIS year’s Water Saving Week, 12 -16 May, has the theme of ‘small waste, big impact’ and is...
Scotland’s data centre debate needs more facts and less fear
By Mandy Watson, a partner at Ryden
WHEN most people think about data centres, they picture vast industrial buildings consuming huge amounts of energy and...
Could ChatGPT have an impact on the construction industry?
It’s been a while now since ChatGPT and AI tools like it burst onto the scene. But do they have any practical applications for...
The importance of EPDs in Passivhaus projects
Neil Turner, technical sales manager for Ecological Building Systems, explores the role of EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) in supporting the construction sector’s move towards...
No worker should be left alone in a crisis
By Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity
AS well as the word unprecedented, we are now hearing the words mental health every...
It’s time to invest in young people
By Peter Russian, chief executive of Remarkable (formerly Investors in People Scotland)
IN an environment where margins are being squeezed more tightly and the demands...
Cladding remediation, reports, resources and rumours…
Is Scotland ready and prepared to deal with the recladding of high-rise buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, asks William Barlow,...
Glasgow’s newest sculpture is the perfect symbol of hope
By Martin McKay, executive director of regeneration at Clyde Gateway
GLASGOW has no shortage of public art and the people who live in Scotland’s largest...
Understanding demands for ridge line ventilation
Consideration of high-level roof ventilation is a key requirement for cold and warm pitched roofs. Solutions such as dry fix ridge systems and tile...
Prescription in the context of construction
By Jamie Robb, senior solicitor at BTO Solicitors
THE high profile Gorebridge ‘Gas Street’ case recently hit the headlines again following a decision by the...
Home Reports have worked well, but surveyors must be open to opportunities for improvement
By Eric Curran, managing partner of DM Hall Chartered Surveyors
IT is quite remarkable that it is now 10 years since Home Reports, the initiative...
Number of issues still to be addressed in Scotland’s cladding bill
Keith Emmerson, associate in dispute resolution specialising in construction at Gillespie Macandrew LLP, discusses the potential implications of Scotland’s planned cladding remediation bill
The Scottish...
Changing perceptions to build a bright career path
By Brian McQuade, managing director of Kier Construction Scotland
THE construction industry in Scotland needs thousands more recruits each year in order to meet project...
Rebuilding trust and revitalising communities
By Alasdair Rankin, MD, Aitken Turnbull Architects
RESTORING and refurbishing buildings that fall under the ownership of community trusts are becoming an increasingly important part...
New beginnings: the shape of the construction sector in 2025
The latest release of the Business Distress Index for Q4 2024, released by Real Business Rescue using Companies House and Red Flag Alert data,...
Roofing’s role in saving energy and combating urban heat islands
By Mark Harris, head of sustainability – roofing at Sika
URBAN heat islands represent a growing challenge in the modern urban environment, characterised by significantly...
The importance of creating a pipeline of talent
By Martin O’Donnell, health and safety advisor at Akela Group
THE construction industry has shown promising signs of recovery and new job opportunities are emerging...
