Friday 31 May 2013

CIC Members' Conference and AGM

Celebrating 25 years, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) held its conference and AGM on 23-24 May for its members.

The two day event held at Ashorne Hill in Warwickshire included the AGM, an informal dinner, presentations and workshops. The keynote speaker at the dinner was Peter Hansford, Chief Construction Adviser, who gave us his vision for moving the industry forward.

The workshop identified the importance of CIC and the way it brings together Institutes to address issues as one on subjects such as sustainability and the Green Deal. It was very useful to network with like minded individuals and raise awareness of common issues which affect the built environment,

CIC is a great catalyst for driving built environment issues and is important for ensuring that all its members, including CIAT, are treated equally with a common voice.

Also good to catch up with Graham Watts OBE HonMCIAT, former Chief Executive of CIAT before he left to become Chief Executive of CIC in 1991.

Networking with fellow professionals

With Richard Habgood and Liz Reading from CIC

Taking part in the workshop

Graham Watts at the AGM

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Plan of Works

Back to London once more for the official launch of the RIBA Plan of Works revised edition, in the 50th anniversary of their inception.

I was joined by Gary Mees MCIAT, Vice-President Practice at the launch held at Portland Place and CIAT is a supporter of the Plan of Works.

The RIBA Plan of Work 2013 is an innovative development of the RIBA’s established design and construction process model.  At its heart is a customisable online work plan generator, which can be used to produce practice or project specific work plans.

Visit the website to find out more: http://www.ribaplanofwork.com/

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Visit to the Shard

Monday 20 May saw my return to London and hosting a Greater London Region visit to the Shard.

With over 40 people accompanying me, it was a shame that the weather was rather cloudy but it was great to visit this spectacular building and network with my peers in the London Region.

The Shard is a 72-storey skyscraper and commenced construction in March 2009, was topped out on 30 March 2012 and inaugurated on 5 July 2012. Standing 309.6 metres (1,016 ft) high, the Shard is the tallest building in the European Union. Renzo Piano was the Shard's architect and the glass-clad pyramidal tower has 72 habitable floors, with a viewing gallery and open-air observation deck – the UK's highest – at a height of 244.3 metres (802 ft).

The views across London were very impressive indeed and was a swift lift from the ground right up to the 72nd floor - not good for those with vertigo but certainly worth the visit if you can.

Going up!

CIAT members enjoy the Shard and its view

With Simran Bansal, BCU Architectural Technology degree student

The Shard, from below

Looking out at the South of the Thames

With George Lowe PCSAAT MCIAT, founding member of CIAT


Monday 20 May 2013

ABE Presidential Luncheon

9 May saw my return to the House of Lords for the Association of Building Engineers (ABE) Presidential Luncheon. Another afternoon of good networking with our fellow professionals and Institutes.

I was able to meet the incoming President for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and catch up on what our two disciplines and Institutes are doing.

I wish Stan Barker-Mcguire well as President and hope he has a good forthcoming year.

Yours truly with Stephen Hodder MBE - RIBA President Elect

With 'Stan the Man' centre and flagged by Richard Habgood and me

Thursday 16 May 2013

CIAT Accreditation for Denmark university

The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is pleased to announce that it has Accredited its first bachelor programme in Denmark. VIA University College was awarded Accreditation in Principle for its bachelor programme in Architectural Technology and Construction Management.

The degree is a three and a half year full-time English taught programme and has met the standards required by CIAT for it to receive Accreditation in Principle.

Colin Orr, President said “this is another momentous moment for the Institute and Denmark joins the Republic of Ireland in our ever increasing programmes which are recognised overseas. I very much hope that this recognition will continue with other universities in Denmark, across Europe and internationally. Architectural Technology is a pivotal discipline in the built environment sector and its growth across the world is wonderful to see and for it to be acknowledged by the lead qualifying body.”   

CIAT Accredits over 30 degree programmes which can be found on our website: www.ciat.org.uk/en/careers/accredited_degrees.cfm