In keeping with its country's general philosophy of 'Bigger is Better', the Egyptian government has revealed its plans to build a 200m (660ft) high skyscraper modelled after what are arguably some of the most famous architectural structures in the world. As part of a wider development for the Sheikh Zayed…...
Rolls-Royce’s Most Opulent Interior Yet
Legendary British car manufacturer Rolls-Royce decided to enlist the help of two textiles graduates from premier UK colleges to help design a bespoke interior for its latest Phantom model. The graduates really pushed the boat out, using silk, cherrywood and bamboo to build the marque's most luxurious interior ever. The…...
Maybe the Strongest Natural Material Found
Researchers from Portsmouth University's School of Engineering have discovered what they believe could be the strongest natural material yet found by man, and it just happens to be the teeth of a limpet. The biological structure of these small aquatic snail teeth has been found to have a higher tensile…...
Harley-Davidson’s Electric Bike
In a radical departure from its usual, 112 year-old traditions, the world's most famous bike manufacturer unveiled its prototype electric motorcycle, the 'LiveWire'. After over a century of building motorcycles almost universally driven by a petrol-powered V-twin engine, the Milwaukee based firm decided to look to the future for what…...
British Architect Introduces Concept to Help Cyclists
Norman Foster, Lord Foster of Thames Bank, head of high-tech architectural firm Foster & Partners, one of the most prolific architects of his generation, and designer of London's famous 'Gherkin', unveiled his concept to make the capital safer for cyclists, following the deaths of fourteen bicycle riders on the…...
Engineers Develop World’s Longest ‘Flat-Pack’ Bridge
Image courtesy of Story Contracting A new bridge being installed over the Wallington River in Waterlooville, Hampshire, just up the road from Portsmouth, may not sound like news. That it will span 16 metres is nothing so incredible either. But, that it's made up from 17 separate units made from 16…...
Fighting Crime by Design
Clients don't always ask for secure buildings. It's not necessarily the first specification that comes to mind when commissioning a new design, so it's generally left up to the architects to determine whether safety or crime prevention need to be a priority. In the past, concern with security at the…...
Construction Industry Growth Opens Vacancies
Latest figures for October 2014 show that Construction and Property are one of the top five sectors that can boast year-on-year growth in advertised vacancies since 2009. Based on recruitment firm Reed's 'Job Index', opportunities are at their highest since 2009 across the board, with the top five sectors…...
SketchUp 2015 Released
The beginning of November saw the release of the 2015 update to Trimble's SketchUp 3D modelling program. Those who are familiar with SketchUp can skip ahead a little if they like, while we go over a little history for the latecomers. SketchUp was developed independently and launched in 2000…...
President of China Calls for an End to Extreme Architecture
Along with China's booming economy, record production figures and thriving construction scene, has come one or two unforeseen issues. And it's not soaring pollution levels, stripped natural resources, or an increase in poverty amongst the poorest regions brought about by the inexorable industrial machine. Everyone knew those things were going…...