Construction
Architect receives 12 month suspension over "ugly duckling" home cinema design
Daniel Marcal, an internationally renowned and award winning architect, was retained by Phillip Freeborn, former head of operations at Barclays Capital and his wife Christina Goldie to design an "architectural jewel" of a home cinema, in their £7 million London home. However, as Mr Freeborn told the High Court in his claim against Mr Marcal, he ended up with a "wonky" "expensive white elephant", rather than the sleek modernist cube floating over his pool that he had wanted.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 30 July 2021
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 23 July 2021
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreKnot so Weedy Afterall? RICS issues new draft guidance on Japanese Knotweed
The RICS is seeking consultation on its Japanese Knotweed draft guidance note. The consultation, which you can access here, opened on 22 June 2021 and closes on 3 August 2021.
Read moreDisciplinary investigations against architects #6 - Professional Conduct Committee Hearing: What to expect
Further to our previous five articles detailing the stages of the Architect Registration Board's (ARB) disciplinary process up to the Referral to Professional Conduct Committee stage, this article considers the Professional Conduct Committee Hearing, and what Architects should expect if their case reaches this stage.
Read moreNew RICS Guidance for Risks, Liability and Insurance April 2021
The RICS have produced a new Guidance Note entitled "Risks, Liability and Insurance", which came into effect on 1 April 2021. This note is a must read for surveyors and provides practical advice for risk management and the points to consider when seeking professional indemnity cover.
Read moreFire safety – at last, some welcome news for surveyors
We set out below news of a welcome change to the professional indemnity insurance available to surveyors relating to their fire safety work.
Read moreThe RICS key to unlock the market?
In December 2019, the RICS launched a new form, the EWS1, to assist with the process of valuing properties within all residential buildings over six storeys (18 metres). In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, lenders were needing to understand whether materials used for cladding/insulation were safe and would require remediation at a cost that would have impact on the value of the property. The EWS1 form was intended to provide a quick route to ascertain whether works were required that might have an impact on value.
Read moreDisciplinary investigations against architects #5 - Referral to Professional Conduct Committee
Further to our previous four articles detailing the stages of the Architect Registration Board's disciplinary process up to the Investigations Panel Stage, this article considers the steps that are taken by the ARB in order to refer the matter to the Professional Conduct Committee and the steps that an Architect may wish to take to prepare for that hearing.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 27th November 2020
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 13 November 2020
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreThe week that was - 30th October 2020
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 23rd October 2020
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreBuilding on renewable energy #3 – Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion is the process by which biodegradable materials are broken down in a controlled environment. Whilst being broken down, the materials emit gas (which can be used as a source of renewable energy), and produce heat (which can also be harnessed on or near-to site). The process also leaves a waste material (digestate), which can be used as fertiliser, contributing to the circular economy.
Read moreHealth and Safety Bulletin – June 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of our Health and Safety update.
Read moreDisciplinary investigations against architects #4 - investigations panel stage
Further to our previous three articles which provided (1) an overview of the Architect Registration Board's disciplinary process and (2) a review of the complaints stage (3) the review stage, this article explains the next stage of a disciplinary investigation against an Architect: the investigations panel stage.
Read moreBuilding on renewable energy #2 - Wind power
Wind power is, unsurprisingly, generated by wind (typically as little as a light breeze) passing over and turning the turbine's blades. The blades are connected via a shaft and gearbox to a generator, which converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy. A transformer then increases the voltage of the generated energy to enable transmission to the grid.
Read moreDisciplinary investigations against architects #3 – The review stage
Further to our previous two articles which provided (1) an overview of the Architect Registration Board's disciplinary process and (2) a review of the complaints stage we explain the next stage of a disciplinary investigation against an Architect, the review stage.
Read moreDisciplinary investigations against architects #2 - Complaints to the ARB
Further to our previous article which provided an overview of the Architect Registration Board's disciplinary process, we explain the first stage of a disciplinary investigation against an Architect, the complaint stage.
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