Innovation

Make the Call for More Construction Technology in a Time of Crisis Contractors must tell vendors what they need in these times of crisis, even as needs shift Whether it's a now-necessary online meeting capability, or something else, construction technology providers need to know what contractors and personnel in the field need to make those requests happen. Photo courtesy of Procore Relationships form the backbone of our industry. From general contractors to specialty contractors to owners, it’s the people that make this industry great. As the industry and the world grapples with COVID-19, this has never been more apparent. We face...

Advanced Concrete Technology Speeds Construction Advanced concrete technology (ACT) is a construction technology and methodology that combines several steps and inspections into one, expediting the construction timeline dramatically — and saving a substantial amount of money in the process. ACT leverages fully concrete exterior and interior walls that are erected first and then fully equipped with plumbing and electricity kits, which enables crews to produce hundreds of units in about 76 percent of the total construction time, saving an average of 30 percent of the construction costs per project. ACT is suited for use in a wide variety of applications....

Los Angeles Trade-Tech Breaks Ground on Construction Technology Building LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles Trade-Technology College (LATTC) has broken ground on its latest expansion, a new Construction Technology building for the California-based public community college. The new Construction Technology Building, now underway on a long-empty property at the corner of 23rd Street and Grand Avenue, will be three stories in height and feature nearly 180,000 square feet of classrooms, laboratories and offices dedicated to LATTC's largest enrollment program — construction maintenance and utilities. HMC Architects designed the contemporary low-rise structure, which will have a red brick exterior. The general contractor...

Investment focus on sustainability intensifies, according to new report A new report produced by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) has found that more than 90% of real asset investors expect to increase their focus on sustainability over the next five years, seeking enhanced returns and better alignment with community expectations.  However, the report also claims an emerging Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) skills shortage poses a barrier to the full integration of sustainability into investment frameworks. The findings are based on a survey of 150 institutional investors with combined assets under management of approximately $US20 trillion. The report finds...

Contractors increasingly involved in shaping blueprints through Generative Design practices   Credit: Stamhuis Contractors have been edging their way into the design process for some time now. The increasing trend toward more design-build, integrated project delivery and other collaborative methods have brought contractors more and more into the mix. But even when presented with plans and specifications created 100% by a design professional, contractors have always had some influence on a project’s ultimate design. Whether that's through the Request for Information process, creation of shop drawings or through as-built drawings, for instance. Many people don’t realize that it’s not just...