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.

Future Built: Why Mental Health in Construction Can’t Be Ignored

People & Project Spotlights
Frank Kalman

What Are Environmental Product Declarations? A Guide for Architects, Engineers and Contractors

Building, Design & Architecture
Diana Kightlinger

The 5 Buildings That Epitomize Brisbane Architecture

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Justin Hearn

Once thought of as a ‘big country town,’ Brisbane has become a destination for those wanting to take in its warm climate and beautiful architecture

The Ancient—And Unusual—Building Material Attempting a Comeback: Hemp

Sustainability
Emily Beyda

Hempcrete is a bio-composite material that can serve as an alternative to traditional lime, reducing the carbon impact of the resulting concrete mixture while improving its insulator-like and energy-retaining properties

Can 3D Printing With Local Soils Offer A Low-Carbon Alternative to Concrete? Part 1

Technology & Innovation
David Shultz

Without the need for long-distance transportation or carbon-intensive production techniques, one research lab is experimenting with local soils that may offer a greener path forward

Construction’s Strategy to Increase Minority Representation: Appeal to Kids

People & Project Spotlights
Elisa Silverman

Organizations across the industry are working to improve its minority representation by developing programs that drive awareness at the youngest ages

The Top Built Stories of 2020

Technology & Innovation
Frank Kalman

From exoskeletons to state-of-the-art sports stadiums, these were the top stories of the Built Blog in 2020

The 5 Things Ironworker Jesse Garner Can’t Live Without

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Construction workers rely on several tools and gadgets to get the job done. Here, one ironworker shares the items he can’t live without on the job

Why We Love Construction

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

Bluebeam employees share why they love working in the industry

From Roadside Waste to Repurposed Flooring

Sustainability
Randy B. Hecht

Where others see a littered landscape, one researcher in Colombia saw resources ready to be put to practical use as part of the ‘circular economy’

Construction Is (Finally) Embracing Tech—And Venture Capital Is Cashing In

Technology & Innovation
Katie Morell

Two venture capitalists share their observations on the industry’s promising emerging construction technology landscape, as well as the areas where they’re investing their money

The Surprising Science Behind How Buildings Shape Human Behavior

Building, Design & Architecture
Emily Beyda

As humans have let their cultural and psychological needs shape the spaces we exist in, those spaces have been shaping humans right back

This Global Initiative Aims to Fix Infrastructure’s Tech Adoption Problem

Technology & Innovation
Peter Dorfman

Contracting for infrastructure projects has stubbornly resisted technology adoption. An initiative born out of the World Economic Forum aims to change that

From Bank Teller to Construction C-Suite: PWCampbell’s Jim Caliendo

People & Project Spotlights
Pat Olsen

The president and CEO of the Pittsburgh-based construction firm discusses how he rose to the top in the industry, the challenges he sees for his company ahead and his favorite parts of the job

The Changing Skyline of London’s Square Mile

Building, Design & Architecture
Hamish Champ

Long known as a center 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

Is Solar Farm Construction the Next Big Thing in Infrastructure Building?

Sustainability
Emily Beyda

Facing the urgency of climate change, companies like BP that traditionally invested in the construction of refineries and other oil production resources are pivoting to build in the increasingly profitable solar energy space

New Law Puts Bird-Friendly Design in Flight

Sustainability
Emily Beyda

New York City has become the first major American municipality to pass a law requiring all new construction to be bird safe. Will others follow?

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