False economies

Article Abstract:

Construction in the US is not cheaper than in the UK as wrongly stated by a report examining the cost differences between constructing a Combined Operations Centre at Heathrow Airport, UK or in North Carolina, US. The UK price was set at 17.1 million pounds sterling. Building an exact replica would cost an extra 70,000 pounds sterling in the US and modifying the building to US codes would only decrease the price by 7%. Changing specifications and using off-the-peg components would reduce aesthetics and performance which would result in higher long-term costs and safety risks.

Construction industry, Evaluation, Design and construction, Airports

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Plastic Finnish

Article Abstract:

Plastics could be much more widely used in housebuilding, as demonstrated by a prototype house developed by Finnish petrochemicals company Neste Chemicals. The Nestehaus used plastics for 75% of the materials, compared with the usual 5%, and showed that plastics can have both structural and aesthetic uses. A new approach to architecture could result from latest plastics technology, according to the company, as plastics give the architect new ways in which to design. The main advantages of plastics are discussed.

Analysis, Plastic building materials, Plastics in building

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Havens in hell

Article Abstract:

A team of 27 Bovis employees headed by Paul Scott are building refugee centres in Bosnia-Herzegovina on behalf of the UK government. The Overseas Development Administration approached Bovis in Oct 1992 and have provided 3 million Pounds sterling to build 12 centres for 11,000 to 12,000 refugees. Scott went to Bosnia in Nov 1992 to identify sites but shifting battle lines has resulted in different sites. The project consists of repairing sites and providing sanitation and other facilites.

Contracts, International relations, Bosnia and Herzegovina, International relief, Bovis Construction Ltd., Bosnia-Herzegovina, United Kingdom. Overseas Development Administration

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