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The challenge of building a new church in Dulwich, London, England, to replace the previous church which burnt down in a fire in 1993 was initially daunting for the architects. The new church, which cost 1.6 million pounds sterling, needed to combine a religious building with symbolic elements and a functional meeting place. Although some details are traditional, the innovatory glass spire is modern in design and with the use of temporary screens the church can be opened out to seat up to 650 people.

Car parks are now starting to be regarded as buildings in their own right instead of merely afterthoughts, and modern car parks are seeking to offer improved standards for users. This attitude encompasses better security and access, as well as trying to make buildings which relate to there setting and which are more pleasurable to use. Changes in car park design are further discussed, including structural developments, the use of precast concrete and how to make car parks safer.

Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners has designed a factory for the German plastics company, Igus. The steel-clad building incorporates a high level of flexibility as well as expressing the company's corporate structure. The roof is suspended from four pylons situated in inner courtyards. Ventilation and natural lighting are provided from roof domes while offices are housed in moveable 'pods.' There were no serious problems for the British architect or contractor working in Germany.

Byline: Mark Whitby Are your marketing and recruiting efforts being thwarted by voicemail? Recruiters find it increasingly difficult to reach prospects by telephone. Some clients and candidates seem to leave [...]

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Byline: Mark Whitby Do you ever feel frustrated by the high levels of resistance you encounter when calling potential clients? Let's face it Co it's hard to get people's attention [...]

The construction details of the SS Great Britain Center in Bristol, taken up by Alec French Architects are presented. The museum will consist of a collection of dockside sheds, ship-repair yards and the great ship itself.

The butters and spreads market was worth 861m [pounds sterling] last year, making it the 20th-largest fmcg market of the 283 markets analysed by TNS. Achieving value growth (+0.7%) was [...]

The article presents the author's views regarding the disadvantage of recruitment through web portals. The author denotes his disapproval for the said type of recruitment, where it halts communication, which is vital for recruitment process. The author notes its adverse effects to recruiters, where portals are able to block pertinent information. Its negative effect to the applicants' experience is also noted.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including ICE President Barry Clarke's viewpoint on engineering ethics and on the challenges at the construction industry on project complexity and contractors' prices.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in the January 2010 issues including, one on Royal Academy of Engineering's renewables spokesman Doug King, another on the interpretation of London, England's Olympic Delivery Authority of low emissions guidelines by London mayor Boris Johnson in the January 28 issue and "The Poulos Factor" in the January 28 issue.

Several letters to the editor in response to previous articles are presented. A reader supports the move of the Welsh Assembly to push for tidal power project in considering future energy resources. A correction is called by another reader to an article in the May 2006 issue about the optimum location between Brean Down and Lavernock Point. Another reader commented on design competitions for civil engineers.

Reports on the techniques used by teachers to handle children suffering from dyslexia in Great Britain. Rerouting of children's neural pathways; Initiation of reestablishing confidence in themselves; Development of a strong alternative oral, visual and creative skills for dyslexic children.

A foreword to the journal "New Civil Engineer" is presented.

The article presents the author's comments on what should be the longer-term carbon reduction strategy for civil engineers, with reference to Heathrow airport's runway and Kingsnorth in England. The author states that it is encouraging to read of the lack of support by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for the airport's third runway, which is a signal of a more holistic engaging style. He also says Kingsnorth is a new generation of lazy, old fashioned technology that is a backward step.

The author reflects on the planning system implemented in England. He shares that his proposals for the design of his house in Highgate as well as for the construction of his free-standing domestic wind turbine at his home have been arbitrarily rejected by planners who implement the existing planning system across the country. Given his being rejected twice, he comes to conclude that the existing system does bar the creativity and commercial nous that every homeowner possesses in the country.

The article comments on the architectural design of Herzog & de Meuron's stadium in Beijing, China. According to the author, the stadium has become an icon and a symbol of the confidence of the Chinese people. He adds that the stadium will be a tourist destination and a monument to the transformation of a nation.

The article examines the physical causes of disasters and focuses on the systemic management culture. The Cullen Report on the Paddington Train Crash revealed that the Transport Police failed to secure vital black-box evidence in the Slough signal box. What each of the reports demonstrates is that there is seldom a single cause leading to an accident, and that often there is, behind the scenes, a systemic weakness in the chain of command.

The author reflects on the need for engineering institutions to be organized along the lines of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). He mentions that the fragmentation of engineering firms not only results in indifference but weakens the profession and undermines their ability to inspire the next generation. He believes that engineering institutions must establish a forum for joined-up thinking and there is no need to abdicate responsibility through disengagement.