Building Technology

Courtesy Garney Construction
The device helps to prevent heat injuries on job sites.

iBUILT operates three factories in Pennsylvania with a combined 2 million sf production capacity. One of those facilities will be fully automated by the end of 2021. Image: Courtesy of iBUILT
iBUILT plans to double its production capacity this year, and usher in more technology and auto...
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Last September, Katerra, which specializes in modular solutions, launched its high-performance Kova Windows line, produced in its Tracy, Calif., facility. JLL found that the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t had much impact on the industry’s adoption of modular construction. Image: Katerra
A new JLL report assesses which tech options got a pandemic “boost.”

Walbridge teamed with architect Integrated Design Solutions on a 20-month renovation of The Michigan Union, the University of Michigan’s iconic 1919 student union. The project involved upgrades to the MEP systems and elevators, a roof replacement, and restoration of 540 of the building’s original windows. Courtesy Walbridge
Contractors are more receptive than ever to ways that help get projects done faster.

Fibonacci House, a 3D-printed structure using Laticrete 3D printing mortar. Photo: Twente Additive Manufacturing
The Fibonacci House, which we have named after Leonardo Fibonacci, the medieval Italian mathema...
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Stanford's Morphogenesis architectural mesh display responds to the human touch through an interactive system. Photo: Gabe Border
Stanford University's ...
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The November 19 episode of BD+C's The Weekly is available for viewing on demand.

The coming disruption of owning and operating a building and how to stay ahead through BIM.
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Inertia Platform leverages BIM data to provide mobile device-equipped team members with real-time “maps” of a project's progress, by the location of the work. Images: Inertia Systems
Inertia Platform provides a visual and map-centric approach to jobsite management and Building...
read moreNavien NPE tankless water heaters being monitored at a senior living facility in Pennsylvania. Photo: Navien Inc.
Twelve factors to consider in using tankless water heaters in multifamily housing.

ACF units modified from existing modular containers. Photo: PODS.
CallisonRTKL and PODS collaborate on repurposed containers for ACFs

Typical COVID-19 patient room layout in an alternate care facility. Photo: Henderson Engineers
COVID-19: Converting existing unused or underused hospitals, hotels, convention centers, and ot...
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As soon as visitors step out of their car in the parking garage, the mobile wayfinding platform provides turn-by-turn, Blue Dot navigation through the entire campus. Photos: Gozio Health
Gozio Health uses a robot to roam hospital campuses to capture data and create detailed maps of...
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Robins & Morton Construction Field Laboratory at Auburn University. Photo courtesy Robins & Morton
Robins & Morton and Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction (C...
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An exterior wall panel, manufactured by Clark Pacific, is positioned into place. Image: Clark Pacific
Gensler has been working with component supplier Clark Pacific on several projects.

This survey of 130 of the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms trac...
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Tenants increasingly expect a well-crafted property that feels unique, authentic, and comfortable...
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This cutaway shows MULTI, Thyssenkrupp's innovative sideways elevator system, which it introduced in 2017. Thyssenkrupp is considering several bids for its Elevator Technology business unit. Image: Thyssenkrupp
Engineering firm Kone Oyj raises the ante and joins three other suitor groups that have made mult...
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Drone technology is one of the tools that engineers and contractors are using to make their jobsites more efficient. A new report by Deloitte sees construction technology as a competitive advantage. Image: Deloitte
Deloitte, in new report, lays out a risk mitigation strategy that relies on tech.

Image by Jukka Niittymaa from Pixabay
Bifacial solar systems offer many advantages over traditional systems.

When accounting for the total cost of ownership and the potential return on investment, owners an...
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Energy-efficient building design starts with the building envelope, but the building systems have...
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Photo courtesy Construction Robotics
After decades when experts predicted that robots would become more prevalent on construction site...
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FabricAir’s ceiling-hung fabric duct and Ellumi Lighting’s bacteria-killing lights are among the...
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Generally, concrete structures show less embedded carbon than steel structures, according to a study of 600-plus buildings by Thornton Tomasetti. The engineering firm is about to release its carbon measuring tool Beacon. The Carbon Leadership Forum is launching its own tool, EC3, which was co-conceived by Skanska. Image: Pixabay
The Carbon Leadership Forum and Thornton Tomasetti are taking the lead to drive the industry towa...
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Photo courtesy Prescient
Prescient combines 5D software, clever engineering, and advanced robotics to create prefabricated...
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Photo: Pixabay
The most important benefit of offsite construction, when done right, is reliability.

Modular carries a potential cost savings of up to 20%, but there is a risk of up to a 10% loss if delivery or material costs spike, the report says.
Modular construction can deliver projects 20% to 50% faster than traditional methods and drastica...
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155 Wacker Drive in Chicago is one of two office high rises, owned by The John Buck Company, that have installed a software product devised by Cohesion that gives tenants more control over their businesses' workflow activities. Image: Cohesion
The new company, Cohesion, helps synchronize tenants’ workflows.

Embracing innovation allows Southland Industries to meet the needs of a changing industry. Continuous evaluation of its processes led to the creation of this state-of-the-art 160,000-sf fabrication facility. Image: Southland Industries
Southland Industries takes a measured approach to leaning into technology.