Buro Happold expert responds to axing of BSF

06/07/2010 Written by: Gill Sincock

Expert warns of threat to ‘fragile’ industry

Dr Mike Entwisle, associate director at international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold said, “We are greatly saddened by the decision not only to axe completely the future BSF programme, but also to review every academy and BSF project currently in procurement.  The delay resulting from these reviews threatens to destabilise an already fragile industry and we can only hope that the resulting decisions are made quickly.

“We have for some time advocated that the BSF procurement process has been wasteful and costly, and issues such as duplicate teams working on the same schemes and the inclusion of FM and ICT in the procurement have also meant that the best designs have not always been built.

“However, much good work has been done and we hope that the forthcoming spending review will result in a streamlined procurement route to deliver the new and refurbished schools and academies fit for the 21st century, which are desperately needed by millions of students across the country.”

Dr Entwisle is involved with providing high level guidance to the DCSF, PfS and other relevant bodies.  He is a member of the DCSF Zero Carbon Schools Task Force, the CIBSE Schools Design Group, the BSRIA Schools Soft Landing Group, and the PfS Post Occupancy Evaluation Group.  He was a contributor to the Westminster Business Forum report on Sustainable BSF Procurement and the DCSF SSLD Programme.

He is a CABE Schools Design Reviewer, and has recently assisted CABE in compilation of the ‘Design Journey’ which will assist schools and authorities through the schools’ procurement processes.  He has lectured for CABE to local authorities and Client Design Advisors, and to the Association of University Director of Estates regarding sustainable refurbishment of 1960s buildings.