Following the (leaked?) news of Laing O'Rourke's significant investment in its off-site manufacturing (OSM) capability http://bit.ly/6zbV1p to Building earlier this month, comes encouraging news from Jenny Davey in the Sunday Times http://bit.ly/bVKl7C that Persimmon is dusting off its own factory at Space4.
Mike Farley, CEO at Persimmon claims "Higher energy standards and the ability to turn the construction tap on and off at a faster rate mean the pendulum has now swung firmly in its (Space4) direction." Hopeful signs that the tap is being turned on.
Evolving legislation - the government stick to deliver zero carbon homes by 2016 - makes it increasingly difficult to cost effectively build high performing homes through conventional means. The challenge remains for Persimmon and its rivals, Barratt and Taylor Wimpey, to better inform their customers of the cost-in-use benefits of owning a smarter home.
Perhaps the market can provide the carrot that the government seems incapable of doing.
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Sunday 31 January 2010
Sunday 17 January 2010
The Future of Work
Richard Donkin's The Future of Work (Palgrave Macmillan), is a timely sequel to Blood Sweat and Tears: The Evolution of Work. The rapid rate of change in technologies, living patterns and social attitudes has the potential to transform the way we work, and therefore the nature of the workplace.
"The history of the way we live and work is more evolutionary than revolutionary in nature, but there have been discernible watersheds and milestones in the past. The one we are experiencing today is multifaceted, drawing influences from a series of trends that cumulatively add up to shift in attitudes, straining to find a more comfortable environment."
The final chapter pulls together the implications for a broader society and argues "for people in work to have more discretion and latitude to do their work as they know it should be done." The key imperatives for employers and policymakers that Donkin proposes as an agenda for a better society, are positive, pragmatic and focused on performance.
A must read for all who are interested in the evolving relationship between people, processes and high performing teams.
"The history of the way we live and work is more evolutionary than revolutionary in nature, but there have been discernible watersheds and milestones in the past. The one we are experiencing today is multifaceted, drawing influences from a series of trends that cumulatively add up to shift in attitudes, straining to find a more comfortable environment."
The final chapter pulls together the implications for a broader society and argues "for people in work to have more discretion and latitude to do their work as they know it should be done." The key imperatives for employers and policymakers that Donkin proposes as an agenda for a better society, are positive, pragmatic and focused on performance.
A must read for all who are interested in the evolving relationship between people, processes and high performing teams.
Sunday 10 January 2010
Innovation in Tough Times
Most companies identify innovation as a strategic priority, but many struggle to execute because of the organisational barriers and outdated paradigms that exist.
In tough times it can seem even harder, with the focus on cutting cost just to survive. But innovation and efficiency are not mutually exclusive - thinking creatively in tough times can control costs.
We set up this design led consultancy in February 2009 to promote innovation in the built environment. Nearly a year on, I’m pleased to say that we seem to have found an appetite among developers, architects and builders for better ways to deliver smarter buildings.
It’s also been encouraging to see interest from closer to home, with UK developers keen to distinguish their product from the competition and deliver it more quickly into the market, as more favourable economic conditions prevail.
Looking forward, design problems in 2010 will continue to become more complex as the social, economic and environmental conditions converge to demand higher performing buildings. We will continue to champion off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly, so that more people may enjoy the benefits of sustainable living.
Incidentally, it was great to see Nick Whitehouse recognised in the New Years Honours List for services to the building industry - well deserved Nick, congratulations!
My good mate Ash has been badgering me to share some of this, so now we are...
Friday 1 January 2010
Key words for 2010
Reflecting on opportunities for the year ahead, certain key words seem relevant:
- resourcefulness
- collaboration
- durability
- scarcity
- change
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