Podcast No.11 is finally hear folks. It's been a while since we recorded the last podcast, mostly down to the fact everyone's been very busy lately - is that a good sign? On the podcast we discuss lots of topics around the construction industry, especially looking at the current state of the property market and discussing how things are improving on a number of fronts. BLOCK PODCAST No.11 We are joined by the usual team for the latest recording, the participants are as follows: Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd We've been hearing about signs of recovery in the construction industry for some time but is there now real evidence that things are improving and property is starting to move? On this podcast we hear about real construction projects that are up and running and, we chat about various government initiatives now in place to help property buyers. We even hear that 100% mortgages are back on the scene and discuss whether or not that is a good thing. The podcasts covers a great deal, here are some of the main things that come up in the discussion: Sunscreen - Is it made available to construction workers during exceptionally hot spells of weather? Are modern buildings able to cope with extreme temperature swings? The ongoing challenge of keeping up to date with changing technology Changes to the Building Regulations being introduced in October 2013 The increasing need to bring in specialist consultants - even 0n smaller domestic projects The new water usage guidelines about to be introduced as part of the Building Regulation changes Good practice around air tightness testing The general public's general awareness of renewables - is there a need for greater education? Are there too many layers of bureaucracy around government initiatives 100% mortgages emerge again - is this a good thing? Remote and home working - is this affecting creativity and collaboration? Do modern houses need to be more modular and flexible to cope with the need to change as the users needs change?

In Podcast No.10 we revisit BIM and we discuss the changing role of an architect, some green stuff and we share some mince pies! Joining us on the podcast are regular guests Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing, Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd. We also welcomed a new guest on the podcast, John Burrow, Director at Archetype Services. We start the podcast by asking John Burrow about the current situation with the adoption of BIM systems in the architects community. This follows on from Block Podcast No.9 when we discussed BIM from the development perspective with Prof. Bimal Kumar. Following on from this opening chat we cover a whole range of issues in the conversation that includes the following: Are requests for BIM technology increasing? Archetype's integration of BIM technology Are Local Authorities requesting BIM at the tendering stage? Ownership - Are we any closer to a resolution of this issue? Is the timescale for the introduction of BIM in Local Authority tendering realistic? Is the role of an architect changing? And, can we learn from the targets set for high speed broadband? The evidence that building and construction companies are already finding savings by using BIM What type of practices are already using BIM? Does the introduction of BIM strengthen the argument for multi-discipline practices? How regulations, testing and certification are presenting challenges for the architect The increasing challenges presented by upfront planning costs Renewable Energy - Is the Scottish model flawed? Has the domestic Solar Power market collapsed? What are the alternative to Solar Power and why are they not being more widely explored and exploited? The need for greater education about energy sources and alternatives. At the end of the podcast, the team discuss their highlights from 2012 and how social media is changing the sources for new business. We round the whole thing off with a quick look at what to expect in 2013.

In Podcast No.9 we discuss Building Information Modelling. We were fortunate enough to have Prof. Bimal Kumar, Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Engineering and the Built Environment join us to explain the Building Information Modelling. Also joining us on the podcast are regular guests Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing, Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd Building Information Modelling is a hot topic but, it is still very much misunderstood, even within the construction industry. Bimal Kumar provides a very clear explanation of BIM and how it will impact the construction industry in the future. Bimal takes us through the four levels of BIM and highlights why the achievement of Integrated BIM (Level 3) is still some way off.  Recent legislation states, by 2016 all public sector projects must utilise Level 2 BIM procedures; we explore how feasible this is and, what needs to be put in place to enable it to happen. There is also some confusion about the adoption of this legislation in Scotland with NHS Scotland currently claiming it does not apply to them.  Recent approaches to the Scottish Government have failed to shed light on this confusion.  Furthermore, it would appear BIM is low on the Scottish Government's agenda; we ask why this may be the case and issue a challenge to them to explain their position on Building Information Modelling. It's  fascinating podcasts that answers lots of the questions people are asking about BIM, we strongly recommend you listen to this podcast because BIM implementation will change many aspects of the construction industry in the future.

Podcast No.8 was recorded immediately after No.7 so, we have the same team of experts discussing the general state of the construction industry, some of the latest updates with regard to regulations and, a very interesting chat about Smart Metering and the benefits for homeowners and businesses. BLOCK PODCAST No.8 We have a wealth of experience and expertise round the table which makes for compelling listening; the participants are as follows: Terry Hawksby, Business Development Manager, Ewgeco Mike Smith, Sales, Director, Gerer8 Power Ltd Stephen Lynas, Land & Development Manager, Hadden Construction Ian Clark, Marketing Manager, Ewgeco Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd As with podcast No.7, the discussion was lively with lots of useful information for anyone interested in property from homeowners to construction industry professionals. Here are some of the topics we discuss in Episode 8: Applications and warrants for renewable energy projects and equipment EPC requirements - Are the requirements clear? What is the background to the latest efficiency regulations? And, the background to the renewables policy in the UK and beyond Metering - "Smart Metering" is the new buzz word, what is it? Ewgeco's metering systems explained Can domestic homes realise real benefits from smart metering? Can Smart Meters be easily installed in existing homes? Is Smart Metering part of the EPC process? The current state of the construction industry Are we "really" in a double dip recession? Are construction businesses outsourcing rather than recruiting? BIM (Building Information Modelling) a topic for the next podcast and an invitation to anyone who would like to take part and talk about BIM

Podcast No.7 is a very interesting podcast indeed; not just for people involved in the construction industry but also for homeowners and people considering building a home in the future. It's packed full of useful information on Solar Energy, Biomass, up to date building techniques and the most recent changes in regulations. BLOCK PODCAST No.7 We have a full house with 8 people taking part in a lively discussion around the construction industry. We have a wealth of experience and expertise round the table which makes for compelling listening; the participants are as follows: Terry Hawksby, Business Development Manager, Ewgeco Mike Smith, Sales, Director, Gerer8 Power Ltd Stephen Lynas, Land & Development Manager, Hadden Construction Ian Clark, Marketing Manager, Ewgeco Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd As you can imagine with 8 people round the table, the discussion was lively and fast paced with maore than one person wishing to speak at once on more than one ocassion! All in all it makes for a very informative podcast. Here are some of the things we chat about: The up to date position with FIT and RHI Schemes The state of renewable energy in Scotland Is Donald Trump right about the current Wind Energy policy in Scotland? Who's responsibility is it to educate users about renewable energy? Biomas - what is it? What are the benefits and who are ideal customers for Biomass? The negative factors around Biomass Will Biomass influence growers and encourage them to harvest fast growing wood? The difference between Fossil Fuel and Biomass Where is the market for Biomass? Do tradesmen get adequate training on an ongoing basis in order to keep up to date with new materials and technologies? CCG Timber Kits and modern building techniques

These Episodes were recorded on the 27th February - here are the participants: Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing Gill Joy, Director, Intend Development John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd EPISODE 6 This is an interesting discussion about how the construction industry is adopting social media and, what they could be doing to improve their marketing and existing services with the adoption of Web 2.0 technology; here are some of the key topics: Is the construction industry using social media effectively? Creating content internally vs using an agency Twitter as a powerful search tool Twitter for building awareness and finding collaborators Augmented reality - is it a viable alternative to model making? 3D printers vs Fly-though video QR Codes - some innovative uses within the construction industry Episode 6 concludes with a brief discussion about the new Permitted Development rules and whether they are a good thing for the industry. This episode has lots of useful information and examples of how social media and Web 2.0 technology can be used in a number of ways within the construction industry - a worth while listen.

These Episodes were recorded on the 27th February - here are the participants: Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing Gill Joy, Director, Intend Development John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd EPISODE 5 We discuss lots of different aspects of procurement in the construction industry, here are some of the key topics: The complexity of the process Are SME's getting their fare share? BBA Accreditation and the cost of being registered Quirky.com and crowd funding for product development Are the contracts profitable or, are companies buying the work? How good id you bidding? Do you review and fine tune failed bids? The Glasgow Construction Forum Scottish Procurement Construction Linked In Group There's lots of great chat in this Episode and lots of useful information for anyone involved in the procurement process, it's well worth a listen.

It's early December and we are now at Block Podcast No.4, we've been very encouraged with the response and feedback from the initial podcasts. We are continuing to look for people to take part in future podcasts and, for your suggestions of topics you would like us to discuss on future episodes. If you would like to take part or suggest a topic please contact Kenneth Martin who will be happy to chat through your ideas. Episode 4 of the Block Podcast was recorded on the Thursday 1st December 2011and we were delighted to welcome back some guests along with one new one - here are the participants: William Hume, Director, Terrenus CDH John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd As usual, we covered lots of topics during our open and lively conversation and we hope that there's something in the podcast for you. To help you decide, we've listed some of the topics/questions that were asked and answered during the recording. We began by looking at the issue of home working as opposed to working from an office, here are some of the key topics: Flexible working The benefits of collaborative working The ease with which you can open branch offices Serviced offices and meeting room facilities Is there any stigma in working from home? Trust issues - will your employees give 100% if working remotely Work/life balance Is there too much negativity around? Has the current climate been a wake up call for many businesses? Loyalty in business - Is there still loyalty in business? Investment - Is it being affected by uncertainty because of the independence issue? Is investment too heavily weighted in favour of energy projects? Solar energy and the tariff changes Lack of investment in the communications infrastructure Is the planning process affecting investment? The costs associated with the planning process Does the planning process lack a certain amount of judgement or are the planners bound by too many regulations? Grand Design - Has it become a bit of a circus? The passive house The increasing demands on the built environment We hope you enjoy the discussion on this podcast and remember if you would like to take part in a future episode please email Gordon White or Kenneth Martin for a chat. We would also like to get some feedback from you about the podcast and suggestions for topics you would like us to cover; you can either leave them as a comment here on the blog or, on our Facebook Page.

Audience numbers continue to grow for the Block Podcast and we are extremely happy with the reaction to Episode 2 and the feedback we have received via Twitter and email, please continue to tell us what you think of each episode and any suggestions you may have for the future. We are also keen to hear from anybody who would like to take part in future podcasts. Episode 3 of the Block Podcast was recorded on the Tuesday 27th September and we were delighted to welcome back some guests along with one new one - here are the participants: Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing Fraser Duff, CEO Terrenus CDH John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd We covered lots of topics during our open and lively conversation and we hope that there's something in the podcast for you. To help you decide, we've listed some of the topics/questions that were asked and answered during the recording. We began by looking at marketing within the construction industry, here are some of the key topics: The need to be more focussed in today's market Do your existing clients know all of the services you provide? Target specific audiences for particular services Explore potential new markets by looking at things like changes in legislation Check that your business is geared up to chase potential new markets Are you engaging and making the most of your relationships? Is it relationships or price that really drives business? Are you humanising your organisation in order to encourage relationships? Is the construction industry making the best use of new technology such as Skype? We also explore the value of collaboration and the benefits of forming partnerships, how much you should publicly promote partnerships, whether partnerships can get help you tender for bigger projects and, whether architects still play the lead role on construction projects. We then move swiftly onto the subject of networking and explore the real value of networking events - can we really for lasting relationships from these meetings or, are they simply a hunting ground for salesmen? Finally, we discuss the Contaminated Land Regulations and the planned changes in the legislation. Along the way we discuss the following: The complexity of the current regulations Why we need different legislation in Scotland The Ravenscraig solution What defines contaminated land Is there a legal obligation for Local Authorities to request reports? The benefits and implications of assigning reports We also learn about the pearls of Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam . Not content with that, Fraser explains why you don't want to get Newts on your boots!!! During the recording we also talked about the role of SEPA and issue an invitation to them to take part in a future podcast so, if you know someone from SEPA perhaps you can share this blog and the podcast with them. We hope you enjoy the discussion on this podcast and, if you would like to take part in a future episode please email Gordon White or Kenneth Martin for a chat. We would also like to get some feedback from you about the podcast and suggestions for topics you would like us to cover; you can either leave them as a comment here on the blog or, on our Facebook Page.

We are extremely encouraged with the response to Block Podcast Episode 1 and with the number and variety of people who have expressed an interest in taking part either on a regular basis or, periodically when their area of expertise is required. episode 2 of the Block Podcast was recorded on the Friday 5th August and we were delighted to welcome some guests along to take part, let us introduce them to you: Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing Paul McComish, CEO McComish Group John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd As you will probably gather, we had great fun recording the second episode of the podcast with some lively discussion and the odd bit of humour! We hope we have captured some really interesting content for you, here's some of the things we discuss during the podcast: • Live organ donation - nothing to do with building design or property by we thought, given Kenneth's experience, we would have a very brief chat about the very topical subject of payments for live organs. • Sustainability Statements - what's it all about and what are the associated costs and implications for house builders? • Zero carbon emissions - is it really achievable? • Solar panels as an investment - we look at the "Roof-for Rent" proposition and discuss some of the issues surrounding it • Insurance claims - what's the insurance company's view - Like-for-Like vs replacement with a sustainable solution • Social media in the property industry - how do you project your personal brand where we refer to the expert advice of Jennifer Holloway, Managing Director, Spark Branding • We also ask the question - Are CV's a thing of the past • Recruitment - Is there a shortage of skills? Are graduates ready for the workplace? Is there a better solution for training tradesmen in the future? We hope you enjoy the discussion on this podcast and, if you would like to take part in a future episode please email Gordon White or Kenneth Martin for a chat. We would also like to get some feedback from you about the podcast and suggestions for topics you would like us to cover; you can either leave them as a comment here on the blog or, on our Facebook Page at faceboo.com/blockarchitects