Monthly Archives: April 2011

LONG LIFE AND LOOSE FIT

Posted on April 26, 2011 by johnbale

An RIBA President of the 1970s (Sir Alex Gordon) coined the phrase ‘long life, loose fit, low energy’, as a maxim for good building.  I’ve always liked that, but few others seem to remember it.  The low energy bit is … Continue reading →

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THE GREAT CONSTRUCTION DEBATE

Posted on April 18, 2011 by johnbale

Marks and Spencer began life as a market stall in Leeds.  The company is now, in a sense, coming home by moving its corporate archive from London to the University of Leeds;  a small museum is already in place and … Continue reading →

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GOVERNANCE: A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP

Posted on April 11, 2011 by johnbale

I retired from membership of Leeds City Council almost a year ago.  I had enjoyed much of my six-year stint but, while I’m definitely a political animal, I’m afraid party-political loyalty is something of a challenge when you pride yourself … Continue reading →

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AIRPORTS AND MY BACK YARD

Posted on April 3, 2011 by johnbale

I first thought about airport policy about 40 years ago, when I studied the (then) emerging technique known as cost-benefit analysis and was told that a CBA of sites for London’s third airport had attached a value of £5000 (or … Continue reading →

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