The University of Nevada’s new Arts Building will require about 100,000 bricks to be installed in the three-story building. But for the first time in Nevada, about 60% of those bricks will be laid by SAM, a bricklaying robot.
SAM, which stands for Semi-Automated Mason, is being used on the $35.5 million project to cut construction time and costs and help with Nevada’s construction labor shortage. The device uses a robotic arm, computer programming, and a materials-feeder system to lay bricks at a rate of about one brick every eight seconds.
The robotic, metal arm spreads mortar on brick and uses a laser-guided system to lay rows. According to Q&D Construction, the project’s general contractor, SAM can accomplish the work of five masons.
See Also: Rovers set to invade construction jobsites
The robot is designed to work on large, uninterrupted walls, which means the first five feet of an area, corners, and around windows must be done by hand by a mason. Additionally, humans are still needed to set up the Hydro-Mobile scaffolding, program the design, load bricks and mortar, align the row, clean the mortar joints, and do the finishing touches to set the brick. Even with all of the human help still needed, SAM sped up the brick veneer installation process by 50%.
When completed, the Arts Building will feature a 287-seat recital hall, a new art museum, a fabrication lab, an electroacoustic lab, soundproof rehearsal spaces, music practice rooms, faculty office spaces, and a recording studio. Construction is slated to complete in the fall with the grand opening held during Spring 2019 semester.
Related Stories
Products and Materials | Mar 31, 2024
Top building products for March 2024
BD+C Editors break down March's top 15 building products, from multifamily-focused electronic locks to recyclable plastic panels.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 13, 2023
75 top building products for 2023
From a bladeless rooftop wind energy system, to a troffer light fixture with built-in continuous visible light disinfection, innovation is plentiful in Building Design+Construction's annual 75 Top Products report.
Products and Materials | Sep 29, 2023
Top building products for September 2023
BD+C Editors break down 15 of the top building products this month, from smart light switches to glass wall systems.
Office Buildings | May 15, 2023
Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building
This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.
AEC Tech | May 1, 2023
Utilizing computer vision, AI technology for visual jobsite tasks
Burns & McDonnell breaks down three ways computer vision can effectively assist workers on the job site, from project progress to safety measures.
Building Automation | Jul 19, 2020
A Florida company is helping developers optimize their buildings’ parking amenities
Robotic Parking Systems leads with the reliability record of facilities where its product has been installed.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 16, 2019
101 Top Products for 2019
Building Design+Construction readers and editors select their top building products for the past 12 months in the fourth-annual 101 Top Products report.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 16, 2019
Top Building Systems Products for 2019
FabricAir’s ceiling-hung fabric duct and Ellumi Lighting’s bacteria-killing lights are among the 13 new building systems products to make Building Design+Construction's 2019 101 Top Products report.
M/E/P Systems | May 23, 2019
Process analysis is how one MEP producer is coping with the industry’s labor woes
Southland Industries takes a measured approach to leaning into technology.
AEC Tech | Jan 9, 2019
Our robotic future: Assessing AI's impact on the AEC profession and the built environment
This is the first in a series by Lance Hosey, FAIA, on how automation is disrupting design and construction.