Graduate Building Surveying Opportunity
When we take on a graduate we expect that, two years in, they are still enthralled by the construction industry. It’ll have been a tough two years, with a steep learning curve, and a few difficult moments. The work will have been technically challenging, with demanding clients and the expectation that you’ll fulfil a wide […]
St Comghan’s Chapel Wins at The Natural Stone Awards
Earlier in the month we were down in London for the Natural Stone Awards. These awards are run every two years by the Stone Federation of Great Britain to recognise the best in the natural stone sector. There were over 350 people there reflecting the diversity of the stone industry – architects, engineers, main contractors, […]
GLM delighted to announce appointment of Aythan Lewes as Director
Edinburgh-based Architects and Building Surveyors GLM have appointed Aythan Lewes as Director. GLM bring sharp insight, imaginative design and effective implementation to the creation, reuse and adaptation of buildings. Since 1996 GLM have been supporting clients across the domestic residential, commercial, rural, and public sectors. In his role Aythan will be responsible for the further […]
It isn’t just Plastic – Concrete is Killing the Planet too
The planet is warming at a frightening rate and we are still releasing greenhouse gases as if there were no consequences. As this article makes clear, a massive and little appreciated source of CO2 is cement. Governments have made a commitment to stop it. How is that to be achieved? Every time a concrete building is […]
Energy Efficient Scotland
Back in May this year, the Scottish Government launched the Route Map and consultation on Energy Efficient Scotland (EES). The consultation proposed a range of measures which are designed to improve energy efficiency in Scotland’s building stock and to meet the Scottish Government’s key policy aims of eradicating fuel poverty and meeting decarbonisation targets. So, […]
Life of a Building Surveyor – Part 6
At the end of September I attended the RICS Matrics Annual Dinner in Edinburgh. The evening was great, with good food, entertainment and best of all good conversation. I used to find networking daunting and tedious but over time my opinion on it has changed. I first came across networking at university where we would […]
Life of a Building Surveyor – Part 5
When working beyond the central belt, it is not uncommon to find yourself passing large country estates. These estates and the buildings within are shining examples of Scotland’s architecture and can be well maintained with the grounds groomed to perfection. In contrast to these buildings of grandeur, other historic, traditional buildings within rural areas have […]
Pens, Single Use Plastics & Modern Construction
Having recently read a few Philip Hesketh books, an anecdote of his about a fountain pen made me think. For anyone technical, or who likes brands and design, pens always hold an allure, particularly expensive ones. The technology, although simple compared with many walks of life, is basic but often elegant. The different variations on […]
What is the collective noun for clergy?
You will be bored by now with us spamming you about St Comghan’s Chapel and the various awards it has been shortlisted for but last week was a very significant event. On a construction project, completion is marked in various ways – by certifying Practical Completion, the local authority accepting the completion certificate, by […]
The Life of an Architect – Part 2 : It’s in the Detail
I’m often asked why I chose a career in Architecture and my response goes something like this… Throughout my time at secondary school I thought I was pursuing a career as an interior designer, and it wasn’t until a careers advisor highlighted that my interest wasn’t in decoration, fitting and furnishings, but it was the […]