What makes Design and Build Contracts in London Fit out Industry so successful, how will they perform in the economic recovery?

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE LONDON FIT OUT MARKET1

CHAPTER # 2: LONDON FIT OUT AND THE LINK TO FINANCIAL INTUITIONS3

Market factors4

CHAPTER # 3: STAKEHOLDER REVIEW, A REVIEW OF LEADING PARTICIPANTS WITHIN THE SECTOR5

Attributes Important to the Buyer-Supplier Relationship8

CHAPTER # 4: REVIEW OF KEY TRENDS IN FIT-OUT & INTERIOR9

Future of fit out industry (Interior Design)10

REFERENCES12

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE LONDON FIT OUT MARKET

The fit out industry accounts for an estimated one-third of the world's economy from the production of raw material to the distribution of finished interior. The industry's component parts such as the design and production are the basis of a highly complex industry. While employing a great diversity of skilled and talented individuals, the industry offers a multitude of products, and absorbs a considerable portion of consumer spending. One out of every eight UK workers is employed in fit out or its allied-field industries. Therefore, the fit out industry continues to offer a wide variety of exciting and financially rewarding career opportunities. Because the design industry has undergone immense changes in the past two decades, these changes require regular realignment of fit out design curriculum with movement in the industry (Kleiner 2000 202).

The review of current texts used in curricula design instruction will provide an understanding of current skills required of interior designers, and further justify the use of those skills in the survey instrument. Because there is scant research on fit out design curriculum and how it relates to industry needs, this review of literature relies upon investigations not only of the design discipline, but also of other disciplines, including manufacturing, merchandising, retailing, marketing, and business (Ahrentzen 2003 206). In addition, a thorough review of similar studies will assist in unveiling methodologies and techniques utilized by other researchers in related disciplines which can be applied to this study.

The fit out industry is an ever changing, complex enterprise. Because of its numerous allied-field industries from the production of raw material to the distribution of finished goods, the fit out industry is a broadly defined entity. The construction industry is a part of the overall fit out industry.

CHAPTER # 2: LONDON FIT OUT AND THE LINK TO FINANCIAL INTUITIONS

Fit-out market has been badly affected by rising material prices, whereas house building less so, because there is less reliance on the steel industry. Whilst some contractors may not guarantee material prices in their tenders, this will risk their tender not being considered.

In the West Midlands, with occupier demand relatively subdued and finance availability constrained, there has been no surge in commercial development activity (Birdsong and Lawlor 2001 20). There is a similar situation in the residential market, with prices having raised more in London than in the regions, but with little change in prices over recent months.

Because the public may perceive interior design as being primarily in the residential realm, it is logically categorized as ...