COLD COMFORT

No surprises there, then. Architecturally speaking, and according to the latest Colander benchmarking survey (p72-73), if it isn’t bad in 2010, it’s worse. Unless, of course, you are a business consultancy for professionals in construction, creating ‘state of the nation’ surveys; in which case any news, even if it’s bad, is good.

In last month’s Letters section George Oldham accused Jeremy Till of berating the profession when he should be looking at the educational system that he himself is a part of. ‘Grannies’ and ‘sucking eggs’ springs to mind, he concluded bluntly – and we could say the same in this case. It all looks so plain, logical and comfortingly unspecific when you break down business intelligence about salaries, redundancy, rent, bills and marketing into a number of simple ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers that reassuringly tell us that we are all, pretty much, in the same leaky boat.

But that false assurance does not take away the highly specific, individual daily strain of trying to juggle all these issues at the same time and survive. A few architect friends of mine who broke out on their own in better times cannot honestly tell me if they think they’ll be around in the next three months – a prospect that is not only personally traumatic for them but also deeply damaging to the profession’s already buffeted morale. It’s good then to read about Owners’ Protective Professional Indemnity which relieves small firms of the exorbitant premiums they would otherwise have to pay just to have their design even considered, and we can only hope that the clients realise that taking out OPPI can actually be better for the procurement of the building. In times when short-term cash flow problems have terrible consequences for a firm, it’s in the interest for the client, rather then sinking them financially just to be engaged on a project, to ease the pressure so they are free to become immersed in it.

Jan-Carlos Kucharek

FOUR SIGHT

Waterpebble
It seems that designer Priestman Goode, better known for kitting out the commercial jets of flag carriers, is worrying about the time we spend in the shower. Using a ‘traffic light’ function, Waterpebble gradually reduces shower time, thus saving energy. Wish it could do the same for flights. www.waterpebble.com

Rehau Heritage
Apparently when Rehau’s ‘Building Solutions’ fitted its traditional look sash UPVC windows on the rear elevation of a house in a Kensington & Chelsea conservation area, the Royal Borough was so impressed it let them fit them on the front too. So it’s official – RBKC loves PVCU.
www.rehau.co.uk

Becosolar
You may have thought the Church of England’s ‘Shrinking the footprint’ campaign addressed reduced footfall through its doors; but no, it’s about its carbon use. Becosolar has installed PVs on the roof of Sleaford’s St Denys parish church – God helps those who help themselves. www.becosolar.com

Harbrine and Dorma
Dorma UK and architectural ironmonger Harbrine and are teaming up to supply the 2012 Olympic site by barge. This will travel from the Birmingham canal network, to the Grand Union, and then the Regent’s Canal. Long way to go to deliver your locks and quays. www.harbrine.co.uk

DOUBLE TAKE: SWISS RARE BIT
The Swiss cheese Emmental originated in Bern’s Emme Valley, and was first mentioned in 1542, when used to compensate victims of a fire in the town of Langenthal. The locals were sceptical, feeling that with all those holes they were only getting half their due. But obviously all that ‘evening and morning milk’ used to produce its distinctive yellow colour and nutty flavour won them over in the end, making it one of the country’s best known brands. An accolade it shares with watchmaker Rolex, which has sponsored a new Learning Centre at Lausanne University: it opened last month, designed by the current grand fromages of Japanese architecture, Sanaa. Rolex doesn’t seem much bothered by the holes, either. It’s visual affinity to Emmental is uncanny, with it’s free plan apparently ‘exemplifying it’s university as a place where traditional boundaries between disciplines are broken down; obviously best interpreted by melting a big slice in a ‘fondue treatment’. Author GK Chesterton once said ‘poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese’. No more, it seems.