ArchiCAD Building Information Modelling (BIM) software is now connected with the National Building Specification (NBS) databases provided by RIBA Enterprises. This capability continues the company’s innovation in model-based design collaboration by offering an easy to use, yet powerful, connection with the NBS databases including NBS Building, NBS Landscape, NBS Scheduler and NBS Engineering Services.

The Rural Regeneration Centre at Hadlow College in Kent is a showcase of low carbon and renewable technology. One of the top three agricultural colleges in the UK, the Rural Regeneration Centre will use just 10% of the typical energy consumption of a modern building and is the first such building in the UK to be constructed using prefabricated materials. The building was designed and built by James Anwyl, founding partner at Eurobuild, a company specializing in Passivhaus architecture and construction.

Graphisoft announces its latest innovation for the iPad/iPhone. With BIMx, Graphisoft puts BIM into the hands of all stakeholders not actively involved in the actual creation of the BIM model such as contractors, builders, clients, owners, and principals of design practices.

At a recent Broker Forum held in Birmingham, LV advised that they (along with most of the Commercial Van Insurance market) would need more than a 50% increase in rates to even consider breaking even in the Business Van sector of the market, such is the uneconomical low level of Van Insurance premiums currently being charged.

In order for Public Liability to provide the correct insurance cover, careful attention is necessary when applying for cover to describe clearly what you do.

Over the last twelve months we have been asking Contractors to advise us if they have cover in place to provide Income Protection in the event of them being unable to work.