New writing… My first piece for The Hub – the award-winning content platform curated by Mitsubishi Electric – explores the idea of the user experience (UX) driving the design of the built environment, particularly our workplaces. It discusses how differently commercial developers and their clients might do things if tenants and employees were to start rating the likes of their office environment in the same way as they rank hotels, or restaurants – scoring with stars and posting reviews. It considers what the implications would be for sustainability if happiness and wellbeing provided the prime metrics for post-occupancy evaluation and the key performance question to ask was simply: ‘How does your workplace make you feel?’
New writing… My piece for Real Views is now live, looking at the potential impact of ambitious targets for net zero buildings on the global property market between now and 2030, then on towards 2050. From energy generation and efficiency, to carbon cutting and offsetting, the drive is on to make green the new normal. Complete with links to real case study projects, the article asks: ‘How will the push for net zero buildings change real estate?’
More of my journalism and blogging has been published in the last few months and I have provided a brief update menu of Built Environment, Real Estate, Project Management and Supply Chain articles below, with links to original copy. (Additional writings on Energy, Environment and Education to follow.)
Summary: Managing the many risk factors that have the potential to disrupt a supply chain is no easy task, but a strategic approach can mitigate the impact of natural and man-made calamities.
Published in: ‘Supply Chain Strategies’ Special Report, ‘The Times’ (16 June, 2016)
Summary: Relocating an entire town 3km east in the Arctic Circle, with temperatures as low as -43°C, ranks as one of the most challenging projects ever attempted.
Published in: ‘Project Management’ Special Report, ‘The Sunday Times’ (22 May, 2016)
Summary: Project management is a dynamic growth industry, but the boom brings with it significant challenges which must be overcome to establish this young profession.
Published in: ‘Project Management’ Special Report, ‘The Sunday Times’ (22 May, 2016)
Summary: Times and tastes have changed. It is no longer enough to be a tall building with just a restaurant at the top offering a birds-eye view of the city: visitors want to walk, jump, even slide, high in the sky.
Summary: Most of us think of modern buildings as inert structures – the shell for all the activity that goes on inside. Advances in science and technology, however, are creating new types of biological and metabolic materials which are essentially turning a growing number of buildings into living, breathing organisms.
More of my journalism and blogging pieces have been published in the last few months and I have provided a brief update menu of Built Environment, Real Estate and Construction articles below, with links to original copy. (Additional writings on Environment, Energy and Education topics will follow.)
Summary: Enter a hotel room anywhere in the world and the chances are you’ll find a polite-but-prescriptive card by the bed or bath, advising of the benefits of ‘eco-friendly’ behaviors such as living with linen longer and reusing towels. Commendable as it may be, however, this consumer-facing front really represents only the tip of the iceberg for environmental impacts in the hospitality industry where fast-growing equates to resource-hungry.
Summary: For centuries, nature and the built environment have not been on good terms as humans build upwards, downwards and outwards. Now, however, a more harmonious relationship is developing – which benefits both sides, and, crucially, the health and wellbeing of the people in the middle. The belief system behind this shift is ‘biophilia’ and it’s changing the way we think about and design our buildings.
As the UK construction industry strives to rebuild itself to deliver the new homes and infrastructure the country needs, new money and new metrics apply.
Published in: ‘Future of Construction’ Special Report, ‘The Sunday Times’‘ (27 Mar, 2016)
Summary: In many small ways, we are becoming accustomed to buildings responding to our physical presence, almost without realizing: doors open and lighting comes on in hallways, toilets flush automatically in restrooms and water flows into basins when our hands approach. Slowly but surely, we have entered a whole new wireless world of sensors.
Recent months have seen a number of my journalism pieces published in the press and I have provided a brief menu of articles below, covering topics from water and energy, carbon, construction and the circular economy, to ethical sourcing and supply chains, with links to original copy (please scroll down to view all).
Stop Water Going down the Drain Summary: The water industry is facing a near-perfect storm of rising demand and supply under severe pressure. Published in: ‘Asset Management & Maintenance’ Special Report in ‘The Times (7 May)
Are Oil and Gas Reserves an Economic Curse or Cure? Summary: When governments and other national stakeholders take control of oil and gas reserves, there can be disadvantages as well as the seemingly obvious advantages. Published in: ‘Oil & Gas Outlook’ Special Report in ‘The Times’ (8 May)
Time for a Fracking Charm Offensive? Summary: It has split public opinion and tempers are still rising. Fracking for shale gas is a contentious issue, but supporters claim it holds huge potential benefits for the UK economy.Published in: ‘Oil & Gas Outlook’ Special Report in ‘The Times’ (8 May)
Sweatshops Show Need for Transparency Summary: Controversy over child labour in Asian sweatshops producing cheap clothing for the UK market has highlighted the need for greater control over supply chains. (Article entitled ‘From High Street to Hollywood’ in print edition.) Published in: ‘Future of Retail’ Special Report in ‘The Times’ (24 June)
Supply Chain Delivers Retail Revolution Summary: A shake-up in retail logistics, driven by internet sales and deliveries, is turning buying and selling upside down. (Article entitled ‘Revolution with Fries and a Shake’ in Print Edition.) Published in: ‘Future of Retail’ Special Report in ‘The Times’ (24 June)
The Future Is Unbuilt Summary: Construction may be booming, but the industry must rebuild itself to face a challenging future. Published in: ‘Future of Construction’ Special Report in ‘The Times’ (25 June)
Straight Talking on the Circular Economy Summary: Construction and demolition, the largest producers of waste in the UK, may only be paying lip service to green initiatives. Published in: ‘Future of Construction’ Special Report in ‘The Times’ (25 June)
Shrink Carbon Footprint, Grow Profits Summary: Energy efficiency in business not only helps to maximise profits, but by reducing carbon footprint, it also enhances sustainability for the good of the company – and the planet. (Article entitled ‘Carbon Counts, So Do the Maths’ in print edition.) Published in: ‘Low Carbon Business’ Special Report in ‘The Times’ (22 July)
6 New Technologies Cutting Carbon Footprint Summary: Snapshot showcase of 6 innovations designed to help reduce energy consumption and emissions. Published in: ‘Low Carbon Business’ Special Report in ‘The Times’ (22 July)
