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.

Unbound 2025: Sessions You Don’t Want to Miss – Part 1

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Frank Kalman

The Paperless Jobsite Sounds Great. But Is It the Right Goal?

Technology & Innovation
Frank Kalman

How Contractors Deliver When Building E-Commerce Fulfillment Centers

Project Management & Efficiency
Emily Beyda

The highly complex nature of e-commerce requires facilities that are constructed with the same sort of pinpoint efficiency and flexibility as the industry they serve

The Plumber Flushing Away Stereotypes to Motivate Women in Construction

People & Project Spotlights
Emily Beyda

Judaline Cassidy has been laughed at for being a female plumber, but that hasn’t stopped her from ascending to the top of her craft and being a trailblazer for other women entering the trade

Go Inside the Infrastructure Project Designed to Protect Lower Manhattan from Climate Change

Sustainability
Emily Beyda

The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project aims to safeguard part of America’s most-populous city from potential flooding induced by rising sea levels

This Bootstrapped Window and Wall Business Went from Bankruptcy to Global Success

People & Project Spotlights
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Rodrigo d'Escoto didn’t know anything about windows—or the construction business—when he first hustled his way to building Reflection Window + Wall, now a multinational enterprise generating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenues

Explore the Fascinating World of Theme Park Design and Construction

Building, Design & Architecture
Emily Beyda

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to designing and building the magical worlds that provide us with high-towering thrills and feelings of childhood wonder

How Japan’s Top Construction Companies Built Success with Bluebeam

People & Project Spotlights
Chris Sheedy

The automation of time-consuming tasks, the real-time sharing of latest documents and the user friendly, design of Bluebeam Revu meant these leading Japanese construction firms could leapfrog competitors.

‘Love It or List It’ Builder Sees Business Take Off

People & Project Spotlights
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Hank McCullough made just $2,500 when he built his first house; now, after some shrewd moves and a popular TV show, the contractor says he’s busier than ever

How Lloyd Companies Endures as a Family-Run Construction Business

People & Project Spotlights
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Started as a small, husband-and-wife business in the 1970s, the company now manages some 2.2 million square feet of commercial properties across the greater South Dakota region; here’s how the family enterprise is planning for its third generation of owners

With Possible Recession Looming, What Can Construction Do To Prepare?

Construction & The Economy
Hamish Champ

The construction sector has just got back into its stride, but now faces more uncertainty, as rising energy and material prices set to put a dent in the sector’s efforts to return to normal.

Why Custom Hot Keys in Bluebeam Revu Are a Game-Changer

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Chris Graham

Saving a few clicks here and there may not sound like much, but over time, using hot keys leads to substantial time savings

Dive Deep into the World of Aquarium Construction

Building, Design & Architecture
Emily Beyda

Designing and building spaces for humans to experience underwater wonders requires tremendous knowledge of how thousands of fish species exist in their natural habitats

Mini Materials Aims to Spark Construction Joy for Kids—And Adults

People & Project Spotlights
Emily Beyda

The company creates realistic construction toys for children, hoping the experience inspires them with dreams of working in the industry

What Makes Architect Leslie Saul Tick?

Building, Design & Architecture
Erik Sherman

The principal of a Boston-area architecture and design firm, Saul is doing her part to bring more women into the industry

This Family HVAC Business Lays the Groundwork for the Next Generation

People & Project Spotlights
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Sav Mor Mechanical, a $45 million HVAC business on Long Island, has succeeded in large part because of its family ownership structure; here’s how it goes about enticing future family members to take over the business

The Most In-Demand Construction Materials Right Now

Construction & The Economy
Erin Flynn Jay

Shortages are pervasive across the industry, but experts say these materials are especially hard to come by—and may be for some time

How Window/Door Contractors Can Best Use Bluebeam Revu

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Troy DeGroot

What are window and door suppliers doing in Bluebeam to finish the job faster? Here are a few tools to count, detail and install windows and doors for both residential and large commercial construction projects

The Hidden Danger Posed by Jobsite Contamination

Health, Safety, and Compliance
Emily Beyda

Construction can be a dangerous job, but besides the more obvious safety concerns, there are some hidden dangers to look out for

Meet the 22-Year-Old Carpenter Fighting for More Women in Construction

People & Project Spotlights
Elisa Silverman

At 22, Abbey Agius has already established a fulfilling career in carpentry; now, she’s working to make the trade more accessible for others like her

Can Construction Solve Its Concrete Conundrum?

Sustainability
Diana Kightlinger

Concrete is the most common material used in construction, but manufacturing its primary binder—Portland cement—causes greenhouse gas emissions, putting pressure on the industry to find a more environmentally sustainable solution

The Women Working to Improve Black Representation in Construction

People & Project Spotlights
Emily Beyda

The National Association of Black Women in Construction aims to promote mentorship and community to grow the ranks of Black women in the industry

Is Concrete Seawall Construction the Answer to Coastal Threats?

Sustainability
Hamish Champ

Rising tidal activity, in part driven by climate change, increasingly threatens coastal communities. Officials are assessing shore defenses around the country, including considering seawalls. But are such structures the answer, or are there more effective alternatives?

Go Inside Window Washer Thompson Touch’s Sky-High Ambitions

People & Project Spotlights
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Josh Thompson bootstrapped a window-washing business with just $800; now, as that company has grown into a full-fledged family enterprise, Thompson has larger ambitions

Construction Equipment Undergoes a Power Shift

Technology & Innovation
Diana Kightlinger

The evolution from diesel to electric offers advantages that include lower fuel consumption and emissions—and improved ownership cost and health

The Secret to This Construction Manager’s Successful 30-Year Career

People & Project Spotlights
Elisa Silverman

Nicolle Wilkinson has a message for women pursuing construction careers: forge your own path. Here’s how she did it

What Is an RFI in Construction?

Project Management & Efficiency
Hamish Champ

Contractors undertaking a building project need to know who can supply them with the materials to complete the job, at what price and when. This is where a request for information (RFI) comes in.

What Can Engineers Do To Strive Toward Net-Zero Engineering?

Sustainability
Hamish Champ

Engineers have a crucial role to play in making the built environment greener, particularly when it comes to delivering infrastructure that impacts the world around us. In an interview with Bluebeam, expert Tim Chapman of Arup and the Institution of Civil Engineers spells out what needs to be done.

Using Cryptocurrency and Blockchain To Manage Construction Cash Flows

Technology & Innovation
Hamish Champ

The collapse of contracting giant Carillion offered a lesson for the construction sector. It reminded the industry of the need to carry out jobs for the right amount of money and to maintain good cash flow. It has also led to the sector looking at new technologies such as cryptocurrency to smooth out cash flow issues.

What Is Embodied Carbon in Construction and How Can It Be Reduced?

Sustainability
Hamish Champ

The construction industry needs to address not only the operational carbon of a building – what it emits throughout its use – but the embodied carbon in buildings, which is linked to the materials used to deliver it, along with the construction activity itself.

The UK’s Current Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations Explained

Building, Design & Architecture
Hamish Champ

Construction work in the UK is regulated by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations. Introduced in 1994 and most recently revised in 2015, the regulations set out what is expected of those involved in the delivery of a building project

3 Amazing Chicago Houses Not Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

Building, Design & Architecture
Elisa Silverman

The venerable architect’s creations are constantly praised and worth seeing—but so are these area architectural landmarks (from 2021)

Why More Small Contractors Are Adopting Digital Collaboration Software

Technology & Innovation
Scott Van Voorhis

Some of the greatest strides the construction sector has made recently with technology haven’t been with robotics or artificial intelligence, but with work collaboration and design software

Digital Twins in Construction: The Ideal Reality Mirror?

Technology & Innovation
Rob Dunn

Software engineers creating digital twins in construction mean that designers and contractors can monitor the viability of technologies before they are put into a construction project.

How To Make Hybrid Working Successful For The Construction Industry

Project Management & Efficiency
Tracie Sanim

Geography no longer binds employees to a specific jobsite in many industries. Hybrid working arrangements are making this possible for construction, too.

Ethical Property Development

Sustainability
Hamish Champ

Property developers deliver our homes, offices and the facilities we regularly use. However, these organizations often gain a reputation for dodgy behaviour, shoddy practices and poor quality. How can the sector ditch its tag of being unethical and embrace better working methods?

How To Keep Remote Construction Teams Motivated and Productive

Project Management & Efficiency
Tracie Sanim

COVID has made businesses adapt to remote work, creating challenges regarding workplace culture and performance. Understanding these and implementing ways to maintain and build collaboration, motivation and productivity can have lasting positive results

Meet the Builders-Turned-Influencers Growing Their Businesses Online

Technology & Innovation
Emily Beyda

Move over fashion and lifestyle influencers—these builders are also using social media to create online personas that expand their professional networks and grow their construction businesses

An Unlikely Carpenter Finds Her Way in Construction

People & Project Spotlights
Larry Bernstein

Beth Barton was struggling to find a stable career when construction came calling; ‘The trades saved my life’

Vehicle-to-Infrastructure: The Future of Transportation Construction

Technology & Innovation
Larry Bernstein

The next generation of intelligent transportation systems enables wireless exchange of information between smart vehicles and road infrastructure. Here’s what civil contractors need to know

Rising Construction Prices: When Will Building Materials Go Down in the UK?

Construction & The Economy
Hamish Champ

Thanks to Brexit and the covid pandemic-related supply chain issues the cost of building materials – everything from bricks to timber and steel – soared during 2020 and 2021. Just as this situation began to ease, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine piled yet more cost pressures on a number of key products. How can the industry mitigate these and meet the demand for new homes, infrastructure schemes and other projects?

Southbank by Beulah: Building the World’s First ‘Greenscraper’

Bluebeam Tips and Tricks
Rob Dunn

Southbank by Beulah is set to begin construction in 2022 in Melbourne and features an extraordinary plan to add green space to the city

Will Modular Building Go Mainstream? Not So Fast.

Technology & Innovation
Larry Bernstein

The method, which features off-site, manufactured components transported to a jobsite, has grown in popularity of late, but must overcome several obstacles to reach mainstream viability

Digitalisation in AEC

Technology & Innovation
Bluebeam Team

Everything you need to know about technologies for Bauen 4.0, the right mindset for tackling digital transformation in AEC and the opportunities that the digital construction site offers.

Digitalisation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction

Technology & Innovation
Bluebeam Team

Everything you need to know about technologies for Bauen 4.0, the right mindset for tackling digital transformation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction and the opportunities that the digital construction site offers.