October 2021

Tech
Adoption
Week

#TechAdoptionWeek

Welcome to Tech Adoption Week 2021

Welcome to the first annual Tech Adoption Week! Over the next few days, we’ll be exploring fresh ways to help you navigate change and ease tech adoption at your organization.

Check back here every day for new stories and follow Bluebeam on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube for the latest updates.

Your Daily Reports Are About to Matter More Than Ever

Construction & The Economy, Technology & Innovation
Parth Tikiwala

Six Shortcuts Are Speeding Up Data Centers. All Six Land on Electrical

Construction & The Economy, Technology & Innovation
Frank Kalman

A Document Management Workflow for the Modern Construction Project

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

The Walsh Group’s Pablo Giraldo has established a proven digital document management workflow that organizes and streamlines previous paper-based processes into the modern age

Green Roofs Turn Parking Garages into Public Plazas, Parks

Sustainability
Margaret Buranen

The Columbus Commons development is a prime example of how higher-cost green roof projects are paired with public resources to maximize value.

Government Workflows for Electronic Plan Review

Technology & Innovation
Troy DeGroot

Municipalities carry the stigma of being behind the rest of the industry when it comes to using digital deliverables. Here’s what they need to know to change that perception

Translucent Wood Could Give Architects A New Design Element

Technology & Innovation
Randy B. Hecht

A lab in Stockholm, Sweden, is using nanotechnology to reimagine lighting with a wood composite that’s translucent, load-bearing and an advance in energy efficiency

Three Ways Studio Could Be Used for Scope and Contract Review

Technology & Innovation
Frank Kalman

The paper-intensive workflow largely dependent on in-person meetings could be improved by migrating the process into Studio in Revu

With Remote Work, Why Not Build an Office in Your Backyard?

Technology & Innovation
Robin Chen

With remote work trending toward a more permanent reality for some companies and workers, a few firms are aiming to capitalize by offering prefabricated tiny backyard work pods

History And Innovation: The Changing Skyline of London’s Square Mile

People & Project Spotlights
Hamish Champ

Long known as a centre for commerce and finance, London’s Square Mile is witnessing a building renaissance, with a raft of tall new super-efficient buildings redefining its skyline—and making a bold statement of intent regarding its future

COVID-19’s Uneven Hit—And Rebound—On the U.S. Construction Job Market

Construction & The Economy
David Shultz

The pandemic hit the construction job market hard. While most of the lost jobs have recovered, an expert breaks down how the pandemic affected some construction jobs more than others

Soil Construction: Where—And How—Building With Clay Thrives

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Emily Beyda

As concrete’s prevalence continues to pose a danger to the long-term health of the environment, can clay- and soil-based materials serve as a viable option for builders?

Civil Infrastructure’s Fresh Opportunity: Building For Cyclists

People & Project Spotlights
Peter Dorfman

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an unexpected boost to cyclists, civil engineers and designers interested in promoting more bike-friendly roadways

Mitigate Risk During Submittal Reviews With Studio by Following These Five Tips

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Studio Sessions can bolster communication and clarify confusion during submittal reviews, avoiding the potential for costly errors and re-work

How Estimates for Assemblies Are Possible in Revu

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Troy DeGroot

Specialty contractors are able to build custom tools to bid, track installs and QA/QC jobsite walks—all in one drawing

Students Improve Workflow Snags Through CPC + Bluebeam Research Scholarship

Technology & Innovation
Frank Kalman

Common industry workflows like RFI and quality inspections are given a re-think by students aiming to discover new efficiencies through construction’s digital transformation

Building a Skyscraper From Home

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Engineers and architects on Crown Sydney had to coordinate the final phase of the construction project while working from home

With Colder Months Ahead, COVID-19 Prevention Turns to Indoor HVAC Systems

Health, Safety, and Compliance
David Shultz

Indoor spaces remain among the riskiest for COVID-19 transmission. And with colder months ahead, building operators are turning to enhanced HVAC systems and outdoor air circulation tactics to thwart the virus’ spread

What Contractors Should Consider Before Using Nanomaterials

Technology & Innovation
Diana Kightlinger

Nanomaterials are becoming increasingly common in construction, but along with the benefits come risks you should discuss with your suppliers

The Power of Colors in Building Design

Building, Design & Architecture
Emily Beyda

Color, especially lighting, plays a vital role in how people experience interior spaces. Here’s why architects and builders shouldn’t overlook its value

Introducing Built, The Bluebeam Blog

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

The new and improved Bluebeam Blog features an enhanced commitment to serving the construction industry with critical industry insights and perspectives

Turbocharge Design Review Time-Savings with Studio Sessions

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Looking for a more efficient way to manage the design review process? Look no further—Studio Sessions’ real-time collaboration will make the once-cumbersome workflow easier and better

Turner’s Latest Build: Health Screening Pods to Fight COVID-19

Technology & Innovation
Kate Wheeling

The general contractor’s pods to integrate in office buildings and other public venues feature temperature checks and socially distanced entry

How the Pandemic Served Up a Re-Think of Restaurant Design

Building, Design & Architecture
Emily Beyda

COVID-19 has hurt the food-service industry, leaving designers focused on the segment searching for a new way forward

How Studio Sessions Makes BIM Coordination Signoff Easier

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Coordinating BIM signoffs over email is too cumbersome and time intensive. Find time and peace of mind by migrating the workflow to a Studio Session in Revu

Bringing Building Materials to Life—Literally

Technology & Innovation
Randy B. Hecht

Can integrating microorganisms in brick or concrete through biomaterials science and engineering make the materials self-healing? The Living Materials Laboratory at the University of Colorado aims to find out

This Chicago Office Tower Claims to be the First Post-COVID Building

Health, Safety, and Compliance
Peter Dorfman

Fulton East in Chicago boasts virus-fighting features like hospital-quality air ventilation and foot-activated elevators. Is this the new normal?

Why Revu Is the Essential Tool for Facilities Teams Leading Return-to-Office Plans

Technology & Innovation
Frank Kalman

Facilities teams with access to Bluebeam Revu can efficiently plan, create and communicate workspace reconfigurations—without having to turn to costly outside resources

Why COVID-19 Sent Lumber Prices on a Wild Ride

Construction & The Economy
David Shultz

Lumber prices tanked—and then rallied—over the summer. Why?

5 Ways to Design and Access Masterfully Efficient Digital Dashboards in Revu

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Digital dashboards offer teams a centralized, easily navigable hub for critical project documents and information. Don’t create one without making these considerations

What Makes Digital Collaboration in Construction Possible?

Technology & Innovation
Peter Dorfman

Most construction professionals engage with their cloud-based applications to work without a second thought—but there’s a large, expansive world behind each click, share and comment

Being a Construction Tech Firm in 2020: Balancing Internal, External Change

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

A pandemic-plagued 2020 has accelerated construction industry trends like digital collaboration and remote work. Here’s how Bluebeam has approached a wild 2020

Infographic: How Revu Time Savings Adds Up

Technology & Innovation
Ed Mann

The average Revu user saves about 37 minutes a day. Here’s how those time savings add up as more builders use the program to collaborate digitally and get more done, faster

Modern Architecture: Elegant or Ugly?

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Justin Hearn

The debate has raged among building observers for decades: is contemporary architecture beautiful or boring?

5 Ways Studio Sessions Improves Efficiency With Pay App Review

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Owners, contractors and subcontractors spend a lot of time submitting and reviewing paperwork to ensure each is paid on time and within budget. Inserting the workflow into a Studio Session can make it more efficient

Reclaiming Innovation: How to Manage Change Amid Industry Tech Growth

Technology & Innovation
Emily Beyda

Embracing the impact of new and disruptive technology in the construction industry means also managing the organizational change that comes with it

Why Mental Health in the Construction Industry Cannot Be Ignored

Health, Safety, and Compliance
Emily Beyda

The industry’s stern reputation and physical toll means construction firms need to make an intentional effort to care for workers’ mental well-being

Look Inside the (For Now) Fan-Less Allegiant Stadium

Building, Design & Architecture
Greg LaGambina

The new home of the Las Vegas Raiders may open without fans when the NFL season kicks off, but fanfare for the state-of-the-art facility remains high

The 5 Buildings That Epitomize Stockholm Architecture

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Andrea Carcovich

The Swedish city’s character is best represented through these buildings known just as much for their artistic creativity as much as their history

Reclaiming Innovation: How to Create a Proper Culture for New Ideas

Technology & Innovation
Kate Wheeling

The construction industry needs to adopt a culture that allows innovation to prosper—but it cannot always replicate what it sees in other sectors

The Faceless Faces of Construction Jobsites During a Pandemic

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Long-time construction industry photographer Tara Garner offers a look into jobsite life during a pandemic

BUG Buzz: Digital Collaboration Goes Mainstream

Technology & Innovation
Frank Kalman

With many industry professionals still largely working remote, the second quarter 2020 BUG meetings features presentations on tools and techniques to continue to bolster remote collaboration

Vaccine Manufacturing Facility Design and COVID-19

Technology & Innovation
Larry Bernstein

Creating vaccines for infectious diseases like COVID-19 requires stringent management and construction of facilities that test, store and distribute the medicine

Reclaiming Innovation: Closing the Technology Gap

Technology & Innovation
David Shultz

Even with so-called high-tech innovations, the construction industry has historically been slow to adapt—but the tides are beginning to turn

3 Things to Master in Revu to Elevate Your Studio Sessions

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Want to maximize the digital collaboration Studio Sessions has to offer? Master these Revu capabilities first

Enter the Emerging World of Space Construction

Technology & Innovation
Frank Kalman

Texas A&M’s Patrick Suermann has one mission: figure out how to build in space. Here’s what Earth-bound contractors can learn from the emerging field of space construction.

5 Buildings That Epitomize Chicago Architecture

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Lauren Dixon

The midwestern city’s rich history is on display through buildings of varying architectural styles

Reclaiming Innovation: Moving Beyond High-Tech

Technology & Innovation
Emily Beyda

This four-part series explores the true nature of innovation in construction and why it may not always play out as expected

What To Do With Oceanic Waste Plastic? Build Roads

Sustainability
Emily Beyda

MacRebur has designed a way to use plastics polluting oceans and landfills to build roads, parking lots and driveways

A Look Inside the World of Historic Preservation

Building, Design & Architecture
Emily Beyda

Think conventional construction is difficult? In the world of preserving historic buildings, project planning, preparation and execution is even more complex

For Traffic Safety, Roundabouts Run Circles Around Stoplights

Project Management & Efficiency
Peter Dorfman

In Indiana’s roundabout capital of Carmel, traffic fatalities are way down, and a maverick mayor is taking the case for this traditional civil infrastructure design on the road

What Construction Firms Need to Know About Concurrent Delay

Project Management & Efficiency
Taft Law

Despite the prevalence of lawsuits, a majority of construction contracts fail to directly address concurrent delay. This is a problem for owners and contractors

This Caribbean Island Aims to Exemplify ‘Resilience Building’ Amid Climate Change

Sustainability
Peter Dorfman

Dominica offers a model—and opportunity—for construction firms to learn how to build as climate-related events threaten the world’s buildings and infrastructure

October 2021

Tech Adoption Week